Effective Food Rescue in Aotearoa
The kaupapa of AFRA is to support and advocate for the food rescue sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our vision is to create a future where no food is wasted and no one who needs food goes without.
AFRA was launched in March 2021 as part of the New Zealand Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact on food insecurity for New Zealand households.
Within a year the organisation grew from an initial membership of 17 to 29 food rescue organisations, and is continuing to grow.
Food rescue – turning an environmental problem into a social solution.
A ‘food rescue’ organisation prevents food from being wasted by collecting and redistributing food to people in need. They go into supermarkets, collect food that is past its ‘best before date’ (as opposed to its ‘use by’ date), and bring it back to a depot to pack it into food boxes, or put it on shelves, so that other organisations such as Women’s Refuge can collect it. This means that good quality food is kept from being wasted and going to landfill.
Food is a basic necessity and yet in New Zealand alone, billions of dollars of edible food is wasted, to be left decomposing in landfills, while one in five children live in households facing food insecurity.
AFRA members, with the support of over 4000 of volunteers across Aotearoa collect, store and distribute thousands of tons of good quality, nutritious food to over 1,000 recipient organisations.
Our members are supported by community food donors – supermarkets, cafes & restaurants, local growers and other food producers.
A ‘Good Samaritan’ clause (section 352) was put into the Food Act 2014 to protect food businesses (that trade in food) who donate food. Provided the food was safe and suitable when it was donated, and came with any information needed to keep it safe and suitable, the donor is protected from civil or criminal liability under the Food Act.
What does AFRA do?
AFRA is a registered charity, and an Incorporated Society which supports and advocates for our food rescue members and the wider sector. AFRA is a collaboration of more than 30 organisations involved in food rescue across the motu.
Our purpose is to provide national support for local food rescue organisations to reduce food waste and increase food security.
In the last year (2021-2022) AFRA members redistributed around 10 million kilograms of food or the equivalent of over 29 million meals to more than 1,000 recipient organisations across Aotearoa, avoiding 20,250 tonnes of Co2 emissions.
AFRA delivers for its members through our four pillars: Collaboration, Best Practice, Capacity Building and Advocacy.
For more information check out our AFRA Annual Report and our Action Plan.
Becoming an AFRA member
Our member organisations are incredible champions in their communities. We are hugely inspired by their commitment, professionalism and care. AFRA was created through consultation with the food rescue sector, so our values reflect the mahi of our members.
We are always happy to talk with food rescue organisations about becoming part of the AFRA whānau. To learn more about how to become a member check out our membership page.
Becoming a food donor
If you are a business and are interested in learning more about donating food to a local food rescue organisation, AFRA has released a Food Donor Guide that could help inform you.
The guide includes an overview of food rescue in Aotearoa New Zealand and how to get in touch with AFRA members in your area. It also provides practical information about what to donate and what to expect if you partner with a food rescue organisation.
How does food rescue work?
Our members collect food from local food donors. Across the country there are thousands of businesses passing on good quality surplus food to our members. Many of our members are also food hubs for the New Zealand Food Network, which collects donated bulk food from producers and distribute it to food rescues and other community food providers.
After collection, our members sort the food and either pass that onto community groups to distribute to individuals, or some food rescues – like free stores – give food directly to members of their community who need it.
Our members are highly collaborative agents in their local community – this means they work alongside other agencies that are helping people with additional needs they may have as well as accessing food.
Addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity takes a holistic approach and we’re proud our members are an important part of the solution.
Our Values
Manaakitanga
We have a huge respect for our members, and for the meaningful impact of the food rescue on people and the environment.
We never lose sight of the incredible work our members strive to do in their communities, and everything we do is in order to support, help, and encourage our member organisations so they can succeed in their work.
Open Communication
We are up front about what we know and what we’re thinking. We welcome and encourage our members and supporters to talk to us and when they do we listen, learn and are influenced by their input.
Open communication is important to us because we want to achieve great work for the benefit of the food rescue kaupapa alongside our members and allies.
Integrity
We believe in the moral and ethical purpose of our work and we take on the responsibility of leadership.
We hold ourselves accountable to our members and supporters and we strive to earn their trust by being consistent, thoughtful and genuine. We regard that sense of trust crucial.
Our Board
Liz Cassidy-Canning
Liz Cassidy-Canning is the CEO of 155 Whare Āwhina and director of Whakaora Kai Limited, a food rescue initiative with a vision of zero waste, zero hunger. With sites in Whangārei, Moerewa (in partnership with He Iwi Kotahi), and Kaikohe, Whakaora Kai collects surplus food from local businesses and redistributes it to over 80 community groups and marae across Taitokerau. Liz, who facilitated the creation of Whakaora Kai, combines her leadership role with hands-on work as a relief food rescue driver. A passionate advocate for equity, justice, and systemic change in food security, she also brings extensive experience in governance and the health and social service sectors. Proud mother of four and nana to three mokopuna, Liz is committed to AFRA’s mission to reduce food waste, cut carbon emissions, and ensure that no one in Aotearoa goes hungry.
Simone Gibson
Simone Gibson is GM at Awhina Taupō Community Foodbank having relocated from Tauranga at the end of 2023. Her introduction to the food rescue sector came with her role at Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust in Tauranga starting in 2020. Bringing business experience and a passion for innovation and collaboration Simone is keen to see AFRA members learn from one another, join forces to raise the sector’s profile, and achieve sustainability for the longevity of food rescue in Aotearoa.
Kate Porter
An experienced communications and reputation leader, Kate is a founding member of the New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 and a current board member of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA). Previously Head of Communications and Community for Countdown and Woolworths New Zealand, Kate oversaw the company’s internal and external communications as well as its community and charity partnerships, Food for Good Foundation, and the Countdown food rescue programme.
Kate has strong relationships across the food rescue and food charity sectors, and advocates for the inclusion of food rescue as a critical part of Aotearoa’s waste infrastructure, playing both an environmental and social role to reduce food waste and food poverty.
Susie Robertson
Susie Robertson is the Kaiarahi/CE of Kaibosh Food Rescue, which has three branches across the Greater Wellington region. Susie has a long working history in the charity sector, with a background in youth health and development and social marketing. Her passion is working with the community for the good of people and the planet. When she isn’t working, she loves getting into the bush with her family and dog. Susie believes in freely sharing knowledge and resources, and so is deeply supportive of the AFRA alliance model, and the benefits it can have for all its members. She is also the co-chair and an independent member on the board of Environment Hubs Aotearoa, another nationwide membership organisation.
Jennifer Stephens
Jennifer, with two years as Relationship Manager at KiwiHarvest, has extensive experience in community engagement, advocacy, and local council operations and is eager to contribute to AFRA’s mission. Over the past two years, she has been working with food rescue initiatives across Auckland and Southland, managing relationships with 220 recipient agencies. Her management of KiwiHarvest’s Invercargill branch has equipped her with essential skills in conflict resolution, stakeholder communication, and operational management. Outside of work, Jennifer has two daughters, one at university and another in high school. She enjoys hiking, cycling, DIY, and going to the cinema.
David Savage
Specialising in Leadership and Collaboration, David Savage is a Coach and Trainer with nearly 20 years experience. He’s coached leaders on the post-earthquake Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team and the Memorial Park Alliance in Wellington, as well as numerous not-for-profit organisations here in New Zealand and in the Pacific.
Having travelled to different parts of the world and witnessing first hand poverty and deprivation, he’s excited to be part of the AFRA board and see its members make such a tangible and positive difference to people and planet.
Stef Van Meer
Stef Van Meer is Manager of Satisfy Food Rescue, a food rescue charity serving North Canterbury and Christchurch. She has been an integral part of developing and growing Satisfy’s brand, strategic direction and organisational culture over the past seven years to become what it is today. Stef’s short but enjoyable time on the AFRA board this year has been a valuable experience in learning more about governance on a national scale.
Tracey (Pirini) Watene
Tracey (Pirini) Watene is the Head of Operations and Relationships at Fair Food NZ, where she has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach while maintaining strong community connections in West Auckland. She oversees the collection of over 600 tonnes of fresh food annually, supports thousands of volunteers, and fosters key partnerships with supermarkets. With a background in the Tertiary Education and Sports sectors, Tracey has mentored rangatahi and championed positive outcomes for communities. Of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Porou whakapapa, she brings a strong Te Ao Māori perspective to her work, enriching Fair Food’s relationships. Tracey is also the Vice President of the Tāmaki Makaurau Poitarawhiti Māori Women’s Welfare League and a Life Member of Aotearoa Māori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles.
Iain Lees-Galloway
Executive Director – Partnerships
Iain’s background is in national and local politics, government policy, and engaging with community organisations and the social enterprise sector. A former Government Minister and Labour Party Member of Parliament, Iain has recently come to AFRA from the Nurses’ Union where he held the positions of Lead Organiser and then Associate Industrial Services Manager.
Iain is passionate about empowering people through collective action. Motivated by building strong, agile, resilient organisations that are great places to work and deliver awesome outcomes for all of our stakeholders.
As Engagement & Partnerships Lead, Iain plays a critical role in supporting food rescue organisations, particularly through policy, research, insights and evaluation. Iain is particularly involved in engagement with government, cross-collaboration within the sector, key stakeholders and research relevant to food rescue. In doing so, Iain promotes, and advocates for, the value of food rescue organisations, in reducing food waste and increasing food security.
Quinn Moffat
Data Lead
Quinn brings a unique blend of skills, combining market research, product management, and technology/coding expertise to AFRA. Currently residing near Kaikohe in the Far North, Quinn recently relocated from Auckland.
Rohan Reid
Communications Lead
Rohan is an experienced communications professional and joins AFRA after seven years at NZ accounting software platform, Xero. She is also a trained journalist and has worked in public relations roles, in Aotearoa, Australia and the UK, across a breadth of industries. She is now proud to be part of such an important sector.
Rohan’s role is critical in engaging and empowering our food rescue membership, telling our stories, and nurturing our communications with our key relationships, from central and local government to corporate partners and charities.