We’re backing KiwiHarvest again at the gala dinner!
After last year’s massive success of the marketplace at the gala dinner, we’re pleased to announce we’re backing KiwiHarvest, our 2022 Food Hero Award winner again as our nominated charity partner. With the generosity of our guests, we were able to help KiwiHarvest to rescue over 1,700kg of unwanted food and deliver 4,890 meal equivalents into the community and this year we’re excited to see what we can do!
KiwiHarvest’s main aim is to reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity in New Zealand.
KiwiHarvest rescues surplus food from over 270 food businesses around the country, working closely with their food donor partners including Woolworths. They could not do the work they do without their food donor partners and part of KiwiHarvest’s success is their keen focus on being great brand ambassadors for these food donors. This includes working with NZ Food Safety and the team at MPI to ensure food safety is at the centre of what they do.
KiwiHarvest redistributes the donated food to over 220 social agencies and community groups that work to service our vulnerable communities. This mission not only helps to feed those in need but also minimises the environmental impact of food waste.
Becoming an integral part of the food supply chain in New Zealand is KiwiHarvest’s strategy by offering food companies a great social and environmental solution to surplus food.
Food insecurity in New Zealand has increased significantly.
Over 20% of kiwi children now live in households where food runs out sometimes or often - a 6.9% jump from the 2021/2 to 2022/3. Combined with the rising cost of food, New Zealand has reached a crisis point, and the cost of living is only set to rise higher. Those impacted the most are not just beneficiaries, but single income families are also hit hard, youth that are trying to make ends meet, the elderly and people with disabilities are severely impacted too. Not knowing how you will afford to feed yourself or your family is a grim reality for many New Zealanders.
The community plays a vital role in KiwiHarvest's operations.
Community engagement is crucial for the sustainability and success of KiwiHarvest's mission to reduce food waste and feed those in need. Community and business members contribute through volunteering, donating food, and supporting fundraising initiatives.
KiwiHarvest’s impact is growing each year.
They ended the financial year delivering 34% more food to their communities. An astounding 5,938,864 meals, over 7million kgs of Co2 equivalent gases averted and assisting their recipient agencies by providing approx. $18 million dollars (retail value) of food, so that they can utilise their raised funds to offer important wrap around services.
How can you get involved?
Did you know about the good Samaritan clause in the New Zealand Food Act 2014? This clause specifically permits businesses to donate unsold food. This clause clearly states that companies can donate or give away unsold food and are protected from any liability provided the food is safe and suitable to eat.
If your team have a volunteer day then consider going to KiwiHarvest!
KiwiHarvest's involvement in the NZ Food Awards enables a larger audience to hear their story, and you can learn more about how you could get involved here.
