Hawke’s Bay is set to gain its second social supermarket next week, with Nourished for Nil and Foodstuffs North Island partnering to open a new store in Hastings aimed at providing dignified food support to those facing insecurity.
Located at 506 Queen Street West, the facility, named Whare Whāngai, is scheduled to open its doors on Monday, 14 April. This launch follows the successful opening of the region’s first social supermarket in Napier 18 months ago, a joint initiative between the same two organisations.
The new Hastings location intends to improve access to food support for residents, some of whom currently travel to the Napier store or face barriers accessing services outside their immediate area.
Christina McBeth, Founder of Nourished for Nil, stated that expanding into Hastings was always part of their strategic vision. “Our plan has always been to open in Hastings as we believe the need is there,” Ms McBeth said. “A lot of people using our Napier social supermarket come from Hastings, but others think that because the service is in Napier, it’s not for them or they can’t afford the travel costs to get there.”
She noted the new store’s proximity to their existing operations, adding, “This new store will be just 100 metres from our distribution centre, where we run our entire operation so it’s going to be great to expand our base too.”
The name “Whare Whāngai,” meaning a place of nurturing and nourishment, was gifted to the Hastings social supermarket by Sir Timoti Karetu, KNZM QSO CRSNZ, a respected academic of the Māori language.
Nourished for Nil, described as the largest food rescue and food support organisation in Hawke’s Bay, anticipates that operating two social supermarkets in close proximity will create service delivery efficiencies and broaden its impact. The existing food bank service run by the organisation will continue alongside the new social supermarket.
The social supermarket model allows individuals and families facing food insecurity, referred by partner agencies, to select their own groceries in a standard supermarket setting. Shoppers then pay what they can afford for their items, promoting choice and dignity.
Foodstuffs North Island, the co-operative behind New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square stores in the North Island, has partnered on similar initiatives across the country. Willa Hand, Head of Social Supermarket for Foodstuffs North Island, expressed enthusiasm for the continued collaboration.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Nourished for Nil again to open a second social supermarket in Hawke’s Bay,” Ms Hand said. “These stores are about offering dignity, choice, and wraparound support to people experiencing food insecurity. The Napier store has had a great impact, and we know this new Hastings location will do the same.”
Local store New World Hastings will serve as the “buddy store,” providing support and stock for the new social supermarket, which occupies a previously empty site now fitted out with offices and rooms appropriate for the service.
