Food Rescue

About
 

Food Rescue keeps good kai out of landfill and gets it to the people and places where it can make a real difference. Every day, supermarkets, growers, cafés, and producers have food that is still safe, fresh, and nutritious — but cannot be sold. Instead of being wasted, our team collects it and shares it with local community groups, marae, schools and whanau.   It is practical climate action, food justice, and community care all in one.

 

Why it matters

 

Aotearoa wastes over 1.2 million tonnes of food annually, roughly enough to feed everyone in Kirikiriroa.  As well as being a waste of the resources used to produce the food, when it ends up in landfill, it creates methane emissions contributing to climate change.  Our Food Rescue project turns this environmental problem into one that provides practical support for our communities. 

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We partner with local charitable organisations to make this food available at community Free Stores. 
 

Waimarie: Hamilton East Community House | 53 Wellington Street, Hamilton East. Monday to Friday from 1pm.  Please call first 07) 858 3453. 

Te Whare Kokonga - Melville Community Centre | 58 Bader Street, Bader | Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm.  Ph. 07 843 8811.  

Western Community Centre | 46 Hyde Avenue, Nawton | Thursday and Friday from 1pm.  Ph. 07 847 4873. 

Glenview Community Centre | 12 Tomin Road, Glenview | Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm. Register for a parcel before 12.30pm. Ph 07 843 2600.  

Pukete Neighbourhood House | 43 Church Road, Te Rapa Sportsdrome, Pukete | Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm.  Ph. 07 849 1115.  

Good News Community Centre | 78 Breckons Avenue, Nawton | Monday - Friday (Except Wednesday) from 1pm.  Ph. 07 850 5020.  

Te Papanui Enderley Community Trust | 66 Tennyson Road | Tuesdays and Thursday from 1pm. Ph. 0800 363375. 

Te Whānau Pūtahi Community Centre | 37 Oxford Street, Fairfield | Monday and Friday from 1pm.  Ph. 07 855 0990. Te Whare o te Ata | 214 Clarkin Road, Fairfield,  |Wednesdays from 1pm. Ph. 022 0355458.  

 

What you can do

 

• Donate surplus kai if you are a café, grower, supermarket, or food business

• Volunteer to help redistribute food 

• Support fundraising that keeps vehicles running and fridges full

• Learn about zero waste and creating a circular, zero waste food system. 

Together, we can build a Waikato where good kai feeds people, not landfill - and where sharing food is an act of sovereignty, care, and connection.