155 Food Rescue Northland has unveiled a refreshed brand and plea to local food producers following a whakawātea onsite at their Woods Road warehouse on Friday, 16 June.
155 Whakaora Kai manager Pete Nicholas says the changes are a fitting reflection of their community kaupapa.
“Since 2017, we’ve been working hard to reduce food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste across our region. Our new name reflects our role as a kaupapa Māori provider, and the fresh look speaks to the positive impact we seek to have on our communities and environment,” says Nicholas.
155 Whakaora Kai rescues quality food destined for landfill and redistributes it to more than 80 registered charities, marae, kura and sports clubs across Taitokerau.
The busy food rescue organisation is a subsidiary of 155 Whare Āwhina. Despite the changes, their mission to reduce methane emissions and get quality kai to community groups across Taitokerau remains strong, says 155 Whare Āwhina CEO Liz Cassidy-Nelson.
“Food is precious and should never be wasted yet, in New Zealand, billions of dollars of edible food is wasted and left decomposing in landfills while whānau are facing food insecurity. It makes no sense,” says Cassidy-Nelson.
“Our role is to prevent food waste by partnering with growers, suppliers and retailers across our region, collecting surplus food and sharing it with organisations that can share it with the community,” she says.
Every year, the organisation rescues 43 tonnes of food waste from going to landfill and shares more than 188 tonnes of kai with Northland communities.
The team is supported by many wonderful volunteers and operates from three sites - a main hub in Woods Road, Whangārei, and satellite warehouses in Moerewa and Kaikohe.
“We feel fortunate to do this mahi and are grateful for the ever-growing number of food suppliers and producers we work with. It’s only by working together that we can make a difference - and we’re only getting started,” says Nicholas.
155 Whakaora Kai is looking to partner with more food producers and suppliers across the region.
“Every $1 invested in food rescue generates $4.50 of value. It really is a win for all,” says Nicholas.
Learn more at whakaorakai.org.
