A vital community resource that has diverted over 124,000 kilograms of surplus food from landfills and provided over 275,000 meals to those in need is facing imminent closure. The Whanganui Kai Hub, a food rescue organisation operating since 2022, has issued an urgent appeal for financial support, warning that without a significant influx of donations, it will be forced to shut its doors in May.
The Kai Hub plays a critical role in Whanganui’s food security network. Five days a week, a team of seven volunteers collects surplus food from local businesses, sorts it, and redistributes it to 21 community groups and five pātaka kai (community food pantries). This equates to roughly 2,200 meals per week, reaching an estimated 400 to 500 individuals daily.
“We are immensely proud of our achievements thus far,” said Whanganui Kai Hub Chair, Dr. Rose Soame. “To put this into perspective, it is equivalent to saving the same weight as 23 elephants. These rescued food items have been redistributed to individuals and families facing food insecurity.” The ammount of food saved has also stopped 372,130 kg of CO2 equivalent emmissions from entering the atmosphere.
However, the organisation’s reliance on grants, a common funding model for food rescue operations across New Zealand, has proven unsustainable in the current economic climate. The Kai Hub is now seeking to establish a more reliable funding stream through monthly donations from individuals and businesses.
The organization’s plight highlights a broader challenge facing New Zealand’s food rescue sector. While these organisations play a crucial role in addressing both food waste and food insecurity, they often operate on precarious financial footing. According to a 2023 report from Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective, New Zealand food rescue organisations redistributed over 15.6 million kilograms of food in that year, supporting 361,000 families.
A 2022 study commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment, found New Zealand households throw away $3.1 billion of food, 13.4 per cent of the food they purchase. Businesses also throw away large ammounts of food. Food rescue organisations prevent good edible food from being needlessly wasted.
The Whanganui Kai Hub’s goal is ambitious but achievable: to secure monthly donations of $10 from 470 individuals (1% of Whanganui’s population) and attract 8-10 business sponsors by May 1, 2025.
“We firmly believe that collaboration between local businesses, community organizations, and individuals is vital for effecting meaningful change,” stated Dr. Soame. “By supporting the Whanganui Kai Hub, you will play an instrumental role in combating food waste, reducing hunger, and building a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”
The loss of the Kai Hub would not only deprive vulnerable individuals of vital food assistance but also increase the amount of edible food ending up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The organization’s closure would be a significant blow to Whanganui’s efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Individuals and businesses interested in supporting the Whanganui Kai Hub can contact General Manager Stephen Lee at +6420 412 22 858 or kiaora@whanganuikaihub.org.
