Waiwaste

Waiwaste Food Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation that collects perfectly good surplus food from local businesses and passes it on to food banks and local community groups that make sure everyone in our community has something to eat. We are based in the beautiful Wairarapa and provide kai for thirty different community groups, including seven food banks, from Pahiatua right down to Martinborough and Featherston.

This food might be the sandwiches or fresh baked goods from a café that were made in the morning, but not sold that day. It could be fruits and vegetables that are less appealing to consumers because of their irregular shape or droopy leaves, it may even be fresh meat from the local supermarket that needs to be cooked and served that evening. We’re also the New Zealand Food Network Hub for the Wairarapa and receive bulk rescued goods from their national logistics centres.

This service is commonly known as ‘food rescue’ and it happens all over the country. It’s good for the community and it’s good for the environment – food waste across the world accounts for roughly eight percent of total greenhouse gas emissions!