2023 Member Highlights

Highlights From Our Local Food Rescue Heroes in 2023

Our alliance comprises 35 community organisations that operate across the motu, saving precious surplus kai from ending up in landfills, and getting it to those in need. This year, the combined efforts of these organisations saw the equivalent of over a whopping 26 million meals provided to Kiwis who needed them. It’s a huge number. Yet, each of those meals represents so much more than an impressive figure. It’s a parent who can sit down and enjoy a meal alongside their children, which they otherwise may have had to forgo for the sake of their tamariki. It’s a full lunchbox that may benefit that child beyond nutrition alone (read on to learn more). It can also be the first step towards a helping hand and the start of someone turning their life around. That’s what keeps our members showing up every day to do their incredible work.

Here’s what some of our members had to say about the moments and achievements that meant the most to them in 2023.

South Kaipara: Transforming lives at Te Awaroa Kai Hub

For Gemma Donaldson, CEO of South Kaipara Good Food, seeing the difference the teams make in the lives of visitors to Te Awaroa Kai Hub is truly humbling and something that makes the hard days worth it. One of those visitors is Carl, a father of four tamariki, who first came to Te Awaroa Kai Hub three years ago looking for help with food. 

“He puts a smile on my face every time he wanders in the door. We’ve seen him turn his life around, and are proud that we have been the place he’s come to for help when he’s wavered.  He now helps with odd jobs and heavy lifting around our Kai Hub and loves taking part in our Kai Learn food rescue cooking school. He’s making cheese, and adding fruit to his salad, which he finds hilarious for someone who never used to eat fruit. We even helped him make a cake for his daughter’s birthday and it made her day. It was the first time he had done something like that for her. 

“It shows what the power of creating a Hub for not only food but wrap-around support too, can do in a community,” Gemma said.

Satisfy: The power of many little but incredibly meaningful acts 

For Fran Cain, Satisfy Food Rescue’s Communications and Funding Specialist, while there were so many incredible things to reflect on this year, there was one act of generosity that was particularly special.

“Amidst all the amazing mahi this year, there was one thing that stood out and reminded me that it isn’t the big deeds of one that makes a difference, but the sum total of lots of little, but incredibly meaningful parts, that drive change. 

“Earlier in the year, we had a random donation of $250 arrive on our Givealittle page from a wee girl called Maia who wanted to donate her asthma trial money. I’m just floored by how sweet and generous this is. At this age, I would have happily blown it all on lollies and Garbage Pail Kids! In a world that sometimes feels full of doom and gloom, we just need to look at the millions of Maias out there that make this earth go around,” Fran said.

Fair Food: Addressing the Rising Need for Food Assistance in Schools

This year one of the highlights for the the team at Fair Food in West Auckland has been helping fill hungry bellies at school lunchtimes, not only nourishing tamariki but also helping set them up for success in the classroom.

Fair Food saw a huge rise in referrals for food assistance through schools this year. In addition, to support through police and truancy services, they are now making lunch packs for alternative education providers and schools that don’t qualify for the Ka Ora Ka Ako government lunch programme. 

An Auckland attendance advisor, working with families whose tamariki are missing school shared this insight, showing just how important this work is and highlighting the flow-on effects of hunger that go well beyond solely nutrition.

“Food is exactly what we need to get kids back in school. More and more families are being sent our way due to chronically missing school or being caught shoplifting for a bit of food so that they just have something to eat for lunch. We can work with the families, but until they have food, there will be a barrier to attendance.” 

Gizzy Kai Rescue: Weathering the storms together

This year the team at Gizzy Kai Rescue ensured people in Tairāwhiti received nutritious food after the region was hit with extreme weather and flooding.

For Lauren Beattie, Manager of Gizzy Kai Rescue, the unwavering commitment and support of volunteers during these challenging times make working in food rescue an absolute privilege.

“Gizzy Kai Rescue is proud of the contribution we have made to both the community and environment in our region.

 “It has been a tough year for Tairāwhiti after being hit by back-to-back cyclones and ongoing rain events. Gizzy Kai Rescue makes a significant impact in supporting the community alongside multiple agencies and other community groups. This has been particularly applicable through periods of adversity. The value of our volunteers and their commitment to this Kaupapa is amazing and makes working in this space an absolute privilege,” Lauren said.

KiwiHarvest: Responding to emergencies and amplifying efforts 

For Deborah Manning, Founder and Strategic Engagement Advisor at KiwiHarvest, two key achievements stand out for KiwiHarvest in 2023. 

First, their emergency response during the South Auckland flooding which saw the provision of food assistance to those communities affected. KiwiHarvest was able to get nourishing food out of the flooded stores and distribute it to people who could otherwise have gone hungry.

“By leveraging our government agency partnerships, we successfully achieved an expansion of the regulatory protocols for flood-affected food to ensure its safe distribution rather than disposal,” Deborah said.

Second, was establishing the KiwiHarvest Collective, a collaboration with respected New Zealand chefs, amplifying the organisation’s efforts to prevent food waste and ensure nutrition reaches those in need.

“Our existing Ambassador, Peter Gordon was instrumental in helping us forge partnerships with other respected and dedicated New Zealand chefs and in doing so we have amplified our voice and efforts to stop good food from going to waste and ensure that it reaches those who need it, providing nourishment to individuals and families,” Deborah said. These new recruits included Michael Meredith, Brent Martin, Kylee Newton and Alfie Ingham.

That is just a taste of the mahi of our incredible network of 35 food rescue organisations. Thank you to each and every one of our members, including the 6000 volunteers who keep showing up to support their fellow Kiwis. 

If you’re interested in finding out how you can support your local food rescue, find their details here.  Whether it’s time, food, or a financial donation, every bit does really make a difference.

Have a safe and happy holiday season. Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia!