©2022 Zero Food Waste Challenge – Aotearoa, New Zealand. All rights reserved

Website by NZ Digital

Meet the ‘Waste NotsTM’

The people filling lives, not landfill.

Did you know that there’s an epic food rescue sector in Aotearoa?
Every day, incredible food rescue charities are doing their thing to support people in need. We think that story is worth telling and we think there are plenty of people who’d like to get involved.

Are you a business with surplus good food?

Give your local food rescuer a call. Or to learn more about your local food rescue organisation see below. Registrations are now closed for the Challenge, but you can still sign up for our free pocket guide here.

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155 Food Rescue Northland

Te Tai Tokerau - Northland / Whangarei

155 Food Rescue Northland or Whakaora Kai Taitokerau, redistributes quality surplus food from growers and retailers to community groups who support people in need. Food Rescue offers healthy and nutritious food and keeps food from landfill.

Need food assistance? Go here. Food Rescue Northland supports frontline charities not individuals.

foodrescuenorthland.nz

Auckland City Mission

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Central

One in five Kiwis worry about where their next meal is coming from. Yet, Aotearoa has enough food for everyone. The Mission supports food banks and community groups and distributes food parcels with donated surplus kai that would otherwise have gone to waste.

aucklandcitymission.org.nz

Fair Food

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland West

Since 2011, Fair Food has delivered on its mission to help people and the planet. Every day, Fair Food rescues and re-distributes surplus food across Auckland. Daily food collections nourish more than 4,000 families each week with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs and milk. In 2021 Fair Food diverted 1,511,604 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Fair Food supports frontline charities not individuals.

fairfood.org.nz

Foodbank Canterbury

Waitaha - Canterbury / Christchurch

Hundreds of Cantabrians go hungry every day while good, usable food is being wasted. Foodbank Canterbury collects surplus food from restaurants, grocers and caterers, helping to serve thousands of healthy meals each week. In 2021 Foodbank Canterbury diverted 4,553,120 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Foodbank Canterbury supports frontline charities not individuals.

foodbankanz.org.nz

Friendship House

Waikato / Huntly

Kai plays a key role in bringing communities together. Working in partnership with like-minded organisations, Friendship House and the Huntley West Hub run a series of koha community workshops on budgeting, parenting, lifestyle and cooking. In 2021 Friendship House diverted 77,792 meals from going to waste.

friendship-house.webnode.page

Gizzy Kai Rescue

Te Tai Rāwhiti - Gisborne

No Waste, No Hunger. Gizzy Kai Rescue is a Gisborne based not-for-profit food rescue organisation. They work with food growers, supermarkets and local community groups to redistribute rescued food to those in need.

Need food assistance? Go here. Gizzy Kai Rescue supports frontline charities not individuals.

gizzykairescue.org

Go Eco Food Rescue (Kaivolution)

Waikato / Hamilton

Founded in 2014, Go Eco Food Rescue (Kaivolution) redistributes good, surplus food from supermarkets, orchards and food producers. Instead of going to landfill, the food goes to those in need. Kaivolution partners with local charitable organisations and community centres to make this food available to anyone who requests it. In 2021 Go Eco Food Rescue diverted 1,304,025 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here.

goeco.org.nz/portfolio/kaivolution/

Good Neighbour

Te Moana a Toi - Bay of Plenty / Tauranga

Good Neighbour provides practical opportunities for people to support their community. A band of epic volunteers makes them a powerful agent of change. Their initiatives include food rescue, community gardens and community projects to help neighbours transform their ‘hoods. In 2021 Good Neighbour diverted 1,595 880 meals - from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Good Neighbour supports frontline charities not individuals.

goodneighbour.co.nz

Halo Charitable Trust

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington / Levin & Waikanae

Halo Charitable Trust works in food rescue and food distribution to help vulnerable families and the elderly. Halo’s mission is to feed the minds and hearts by providing services to tackle poverty, build life skills and contribute to food security.

Need food assistance? Go here. Halo supports frontline charities not individuals.

halocharitabletrust.org.nz

Halo Charitable Trust

Waikato / Taupo, Putaruru & Tokoroa

Halo Charitable Trust works in food rescue and food distribution to help vulnerable families and the elderly. Halo’s mission is to feed the minds and hearts by providing services to tackle poverty, build life skills and contribute to food security.

Need food assistance? Go here. Halo supports frontline charities not individuals.

halocharitabletrust.org.nz

Just Zilch

Whanganui - Manawatū / Palmerston North

Just Zilch works for people and the planet, rescuing food from local supermarkets, cafes and manufacturers in Palmerston North. This food is then processed by an amazing team of volunteers for those in need. Just Zilch also works to redistribute this food across the wider Manawatu-Rangitikei region. In 2021 Just Zilch diverted 1,783,425 meals from going to waste.

justzilch.org.nz

Kai Puku

Te Tai Poutini - West Coast / Hokitika

Founded in 2021, Kai Puku is a Poutini Waiora service. This food rescue operation has been set up to enhance food accessibility in the West Coast community. Collecting and distributing good surplus food, Kai Puku strengthens the mana and wellbeing of whanau and community.

Need food assistance? Go here. Kai Puku supports frontline charities not individuals.

poutiniwaiora.squarespace.com

Kai Rescue / NEC

Whakatū - Nelson / Tahunanui

Established in 2017, Kai Rescue at the Nelson Environment Centre reduces food waste. The team collects good surplus food from supermarkets, growers and manufacturers and distributes it to locals in need. Kai Rescue runs on the energy of a fantastic team of volunteers who help collect, sort and pack the food. In 2021 Kai Rescue diverted 478,790 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Kai Rescue supports frontline charities not individuals.

nec.org.nz/kai-rescue

Kaibosh – Hutt Valley

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington / Hutt Valley

Kaibosh is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation. Linking the food industry with community groups, Kaibosh supports people in need with quality, surplus food. With the help of a dedicated team of more than 250 volunteers, Kaibosh rescues and sorts food seven days a week. In 2021 Kaibosh diverted 1,660,659 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Kaibosh supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kaibosh.org.nz

Kaibosh – Kapiti

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington / Kāpiti-Horowhenua

Kaibosh is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation. Linking the food industry with community groups, Kaibosh supports people in need with quality, surplus food. With the help of a dedicated team of more than 250 volunteers, Kaibosh rescues and sorts food seven days a week. In 2021 Kaibosh diverted 1,660,659 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Kaibosh supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kaibosh.org.nz

Kaibosh – Wellington City

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington / Wellington City

Kaibosh is New Zealand’s first food rescue organisation. Linking the food industry with community groups, Kaibosh supports people in need with quality, surplus food. With the help of a dedicated team of more than 250 volunteers, Kaibosh rescues and sorts food seven days a week. In 2021 Kaibosh diverted 1,660,659 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Kaibosh supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kaibosh.org.nz

KaiGo

Te Moana a Toi - Bay of Plenty / KatiKati

In the spirit of manaakitanga hospitality, KatiKati Taiao runs KaiGO. They collect good surplus food from donors and distribute it to local community groups that very same day. This kai that would otherwise have gone to landfill, now nourishes families in need. In July 2022 KaiGO diverted 199, 277 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KaiGO supports frontline charities not individuals.

katikatitaiao.org

KCA

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington

Kiwi Community Assistance (KCA) rescues surplus food, household goods and clothing, and redistributes it to those helping Wellingtonians in need. By doing so, KCA works to reduce inequality in the community and helps keep waste from heading to landfill. In 2021 KCA diverted 1,001,000 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KCA supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kca.org.nz

KiwiHarvest

Ōtākou - Otago / Dunedin

Feed more, waste less. KiwiHarvest rescues nutritious food from supermarkets and suppliers to provide healthy meals for families in need. KiwiHarvest has hubs in Dunedin, Queenstown, Invercargill and Auckland, working with local volunteers and local food businesses. In 2021 KiwiHarvest Dunedin diverted 652,080 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KiwiHarvest supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kiwiharvest.org.nz

KiwiHarvest

Murihiku - Southland / Invercargill

Feed more, waste less. KiwiHarvest rescues nutritious food from supermarkets and suppliers to provide healthy meals for families in need. KiwiHarvest has hubs in Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown and Auckland, working with local volunteers and local food businesses. In 2021 KiwiHarvest Invercargill diverted 158,029 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KiwiHarvest supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kiwiharvest.org.nz

KiwiHarvest

Ōtākou - Otago / Queenstown

Feed more, waste less. KiwiHarvest rescues nutritious food from supermarkets and suppliers to provide healthy meals for families in need. KiwiHarvest has hubs in Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and Auckland, working with local volunteers and local food businesses. In 2021 KiwiHarvest Queenstown diverted 241,506 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KiwiHarvest supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kiwiharvest.org.nz

KiwiHarvest

Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland North, South, East, Central

Feed more, waste less. KiwiHarvest rescues nutritious food from supermarkets and suppliers to provide healthy meals for families in need. KiwiHarvest has hubs in Auckland, Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill working with local volunteers and local food businesses. In 2021 KiwiHarvest Auckland diverted 3,824,766 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. KiwiHarvest supports frontline charities, not individuals.

kiwiharvest.org.nz

Love Soup

Tāmaki Makaurau - Hibiscus Coast

Love Soup’s mission is to rescue surplus good food and feed the hungry in mind, body and spirit. Treating guests with love, they also give people the chance to serve in areas providing food for community meals, school lunches and care packages. In 2021 Love Soup diverted 1,784,640 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Love Soup supports frontline charities not individuals.

lovesoup.org.nz

Nourished for Nil

Te Matau-a-Māui - Hawke's Bay / Napier, Hastings

In 2017, Christina McBeth was sitting in a cafe at closing time. "What happens to all the leftovers?" she thought. With the help of her friend, Louise Saurin, and some incredible volunteers, Nourished for Nil was born. A local non-profit organisation, they rescue food for those in need. Last year, Nourished for Nil diverted 3,432,000 meals from going to landfill. In 2021 Nourished for Nil diverted 3,432,000 meals from going to waste.

nourishedfornil.org

On the House

Taranaki / New Plymouth

On The House is a community group returning surplus food to the New Plymouth community. It’s also a space where locals can build relationships, and where our big-hearted volunteers serve surplus food to anyone who needs it. In 2021 On the House diverted 147,473 meals from going to waste.

onthehouse.org.nz

Rotorua Whakaora

Te Moana a Toi - Bay of Plenty / Rotorua

Rotorua Whakaora believes in connecting food to people. Their Free Stores have been rescuing and recovering surplus food within the Rotorua region for the past 7 years. Working with local businesses, growers and manufacturers, they collect good surplus food to nourish families. In 2021 Rotorua Whakaora diverted 1,001,000 meals from going to waste.

Satisfy Food Rescue

Waitaha - Canterbury / Kaiapoi

In 2014, a group of like-minded individuals banded together to set up a food rescue organisation in North Canterbury. Passionate about reducing food wastage, Satisfy Food Rescue is on a mission to foster a strong, satisfied and sustainable community. In 2021 Satisfy Food Rescue diverted 685,022 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Satisfy Food Rescue supports frontline charities not individuals.

satisfyfoodrescue.org.nz

The Free Store

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington

Why should anyone go hungry when there is good food being wasted? Founded in 2010, The Free Store redistributes quality, surplus food from Wellington's eateries. ​ The Free Store ensures that all inner-city friends have access to quality food. Everyone is welcome to take part in the bounty. In 2022, over 72 days, The Free Store diverted 617 meals per day from going to waste.

thefreestore.org.nz

The Hub Te Puke

Te Moana a Toi - Bay of Plenty / Te Puke

The Hub Te Puke wants to help their community prosper. They’ve created a welcoming community space that fosters a sense of belonging. With a dedicated team, many of whom are volunteers, their community services include the sharing of kai through the Foodbank and Community Cafe. In 2021 The Hub Te Puke diverted 131,171 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. The Hub Te Puke supports frontline charities not individuals.

thehubtepuke.org.nz

Waiheke Resources Trust

Tāmaki Makaurau - Waiheke Island

The Waiheke Resources Trust developed the Kai Conscious project to change how food and compostable waste is managed on the Island. Their initiatives include a community fridge and pantry, weekly community lunches made with rescued food, and zero waste educational events.

wrt.org.nz

WaiWaste

Te Pane Matua Taiao - Wellington / Masterton

Waiwaste volunteers rescue food that is good enough to eat but not good enough to sell. This food comes from supermarkets, growers and producers. Rescued food provides nutrition in emergency situations and in the Community Kitchen where locals also learn to cook.

Need food assistance? Go here. Waiwaste supports frontline charities not individuals.

waiwaste.org.nz

Whanganui Kai Hub

Whanganui - Manawatū

From food insecurity to abundance. The Whanganui Kai Hub gathers and shares excess kai to reduce landfill and grow community resilience. Whanganui Kai Hub is helping drive the transition to a sustainable kai system that values people, our place and our whenua. In 2021 Whanganui Kai Hub diverted 15,158 meals from going to waste.

Need food assistance? Go here. Whanganui Kai Hub supports frontline charities not individuals.

kaiora.org.nz/whanganuikaihub

Food Rescue in Aotearoa.

Good people doing really really good work

Every day, New Zealand’s food rescue community rescues nutrient-dense, perishable foods – fresh vegetables, fruit & dairy that would otherwise be heading to landfill. Pantry items and household goods are also rescued and redistributed. By doing so, the food rescue sector demonstrates kaitiakitanga – the guardianship of resources – everyday.

So, where does the food go?

Last year, members of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance extended manaakitanga by distributing the equivalent of over 29 million meals to more than 1,000 frontline charities. These included food banks and social and community agencies such as family harm teams, women’s refuges, mental health support teams, asylum seekers and refugee centres, elderly support groups, disability support groups, social housing agencies, homeless and teen-parenting agencies, art therapy groups, early childhood and school food programs, social supermarkets and more.

Where does the food come from?

The food rescue sector is supported by a myriad of food donors – supermarkets, cafes & restaurants, local growers and other food producers.

Follow the leader

Did you know Countdown supports communities with good, surplus kai everyday? That’s because every Countdown across Aotearoa has a dedicated local food rescue partner. We’d love to see all New Zealand supermarkets and food businesses commit to donating surplus food rather than dumping it. If you’re a business with surplus good food, contact your local food rescue organisation today and start something awesome.

And here’s something else.

A ‘Good Samaritan’ clause (section 352) was put into the Food Act 2014 to protect food businesses 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 liability under the Food Act.

Pocket Guide Please

Registrations close 15 September 2022, 11:59pm

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