- By Bianca Day, AUT journalism student
East Auckland business KiwiHarvest is making significant strides to reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity in New Zealand.
The organisation was recently recognised for its work when it was named the winner of the Excellence in Community Impact category at the Business East Tamaki East Auckland Business Awards.
It’s developed a clever solution to tackle the problems of food waste and food insecurity by rescuing surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to vulnerable communities.
Every month, KiwiHarvest rescues an estimated 200,000kg of food, an initiative that not only supports those in need but also mitigates the harmful environmental impacts of food waste.
Partnering with local supermarkets, schools, and community groups, its staff and volunteers collect surplus food and redistributes it to social agencies and charities.
KiwiHarvest chief executive Angela Calver says its mission is to “nourish communities while fighting food waste”.
“By partnering with businesses, we rescue quality surplus food and transform it into a valuable resource for struggling families across New Zealand.
“This approach not only combats food insecurity but also addresses the environmental challenge of food wastage.
“Since 2012, we’ve rescued over 12 million kilos of food, provided more than 28 million meal equivalents to 220 charitable organisations working on the frontline of food rescue, and prevented nearly 34 million kg of CO2 emissions from being released, helping our planet breathe a little easier.”
Food waste has become a major environmental concern in New Zealand.
The country generates approximately $1.17 billion worth of food waste each year, enough to feed the entire population of Dunedin in the South Island.
KiwiHarvest’s goal is to help New Zealand become 100 per cent food-secure, ensuring every Kiwi has access to enough food.
The path has not been an easy one, with rising pressure from Government funding cuts and a greater demand for food aid in homes.
KiwiHarvest says help from community donations and sponsors is “crucial” in helping overcome these hurdles.
Calver says there’s still much more work to be done, and KiwiHarvest needs public support.
“We aim to combat food poverty in New Zealand and ultimately do ourselves out of a job by eliminating the need for food rescue.
“While working toward this goal we’re determined to set a high standard for the food rescue sector.
“New Zealand is facing a heart-breaking rise in the number of children living in homes where food runs out, with over 21 per cent affected – a six per cent increase in just one year.
“This places us second-worst in the OECD for students missing meals because their families can’t afford to eat.”
The organisation says the award it received at the East Auckland Business Awards is a “significant honour” and it sees it as a reminder to continue striving for its goals despite the challenges it faces.
The organisation welcomes sponsors, donations and volunteers. For more information, go online to www.kiwiharvest.org.nz.
