AFRA was formed in consultation with the food rescue sector and the results of those early discussions informed our Action Plan.
Four pillars were identified, which represented the primary purpose for the organisation and what we would deliver for our members: Collaboration, Best Practice, Capacity Building and Advocacy.
Explore the four pillars below and read about what we have achieved so far.
COLLABORATION
Greater impact through collective impact
- Encourage sector wide relationships with larger donors
- Co-ordinate cross-sector relationships
- Engage with research and agencies on topics relevant to food rescue
OUR MAHI ACHIEVED SO FAR:
- Relationships and support with Countdown, FoodStuffs, Restaurant Association of NZ, Everybody Eats and Lunches in Schools. Application support for Waste Minimisation Fund, Countdown Fund and other potential donors.
- Facilitated Aotearoa Food Systems Summit Dialogues, with supporting Food Rescue as now one of the top 10 actions identified by NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3. Working with Ministry of Social Development alongside our NGO partners Kore Hiakai and NZ Food Network for strategic alignment and collaboration across all areas of our Strategic Action Plan for greater impact.
- Held New Zealand’s first ever Food Rescue Research Symposium which came up with a list of research topics relevant to food rescue. Engagement with the University of Otago on Data & Social Return on Investment (SROI).
Proudly collaborating with
BEST PRACTICE
Informed and evidenced best practice
- Develop policies to encourage sector alignment
- Create a repository of open-source intellectual property
- Assist with volunteer management and HR services
- Align, undertake and publish data collection for AFRA members
OUR MAHI ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR:
- AFRA published New Zealand’s first Food Safety Guide for the food rescue sector.
- AFRA achieved MSD Level 4 Social Services Accreditation.
- AFRA’s Resource Hub launched on the AFRA website.
- Member workshops undertaken on Volunteer Management, Health and Safety, and wellbeing in the time of Covid.
- AFRA’s Impact Project (Data & Social Return on Investment (SROI)) launched to better understand the impact of food rescue organisations in Aotearoa lead by Otago University PhD candidate Grace Clare and our Impact Cluster and Impact Advisors.
- AFRA’s Data Project will support the food rescue sector to continue to boost capacity and turn an environmental problem into a social solution by aligning and standardising the collection of key data metrics across the membership. The project is in collaboration with Bamboo Creative and funded by the Hoku Foundation.
Proudly exploring best practice with
CAPACITY BUILDING
Food rescue organisations supported to meet supply & demand
- Facilitate the setting up or expansion of food rescue in regions without food rescue, especially in lower socio-economic areas
- Empower AFRA members through regular training and resources
- Provide more effective purchasing power for AFRA members
- Grow and retain the AFRA membership
OUR MAHI ACHIEVED SO FAR:
- Facilitation support for Invercargill (Kiwiharvest), Upper Harbour (Auckland) and Whanganui. Food Rescue and Hubs Mapping with Ministry of Social Development, Ministry for Environment, NZ Food Network and Kore Hiakai for a collaborative view of priorities.
- Five workshops delivered so far including one with a particular focus on AFRA’s Food Safety Guide, which was launched in August 2021 at our first AFRA Food Safety Workshop. Topics coming up will include Funding, Health & Safety and Equipment & Distribution.
- Leverage Plan in development for bulk discounts.
- Started with 17 members and have grown to 29 members.
Proudly building capacity for food rescue with
ADVOCACY
Policy and practice influenced by local action
- Engage on Government policy and make shared submissions
- Support education programs to reduce food insecurity and food waste, especially for donors
- Be a spokesperson for the sector in the media
- Showcase our AFRA impact
OUR MAHI ACHIEVED SO FAR:
- Submitted on the Infrastructure Commission’s consultation. Three Cross Sector Government meetings initiated by AFRA between the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Primary Industries. Advocacy for a Case for Support for the Food Rescue Sector was submitted to MSD.
- AFRA has kept in close contact with Countdown and FoodStuffs and has offered advice and support for in-store education materials.
- Gareth Hughes and Meghan Hughes on board as advocates and communications experts to deliver AFRA’s Advocacy and Communication Plans. Media support for membership (including talk points).
- Dawn was a speaker at NZ’s first ever Food Waste Summit and spoke at WasteMINZ summit October 2021.
- AFRA’s monthly pānui launched which includes showcasing our AFRA impact.
- AFRA’s Impact Project SROI to inform AFRA’s first Impact Report due mid 2022.
Proudly promoting food rescue with
