City Mission Whanganui and Foodstuffs North Island have opened the doors to a new social supermarket in Whanganui, bringing dignity and choice by enabling those needing groceries.
City Mission Whanganui, a charitable trust established in the early 1990s, has long supported individuals and families facing financial crises. In 2023, the Mission distributed over 4,000 food parcels, enough to feed nearly 10,000 people weekly.
The launch of the social supermarket represented a significant evolution in how the Mission has delivered its services.
“It directly addresses the shame often felt by those who rely on food support by offering them the dignity of choice,” said Dr Antony Nobbs, City Missioner.
“Too often, those in need are given food and have little or no say in what they receive, which may not best meet their needs and their families' needs. Social Supermarkets let them shop from a wide range of grocery items, and critically, they have control over what they select.”
Dr Nobbs said the Social Supermarket would help the Mission operate more efficiently, reducing food wastage, meeting the community's specific needs and providing greater certainty about its ability to serve Whanganui in the years ahead.
Foodstuffs North Island has played a vital role in bringing the social supermarket to life. It provided all the infrastructure and equipment to set up the store, fully stocked its shelves for the grand opening, and trained and supported the City Mission team.
Moving forward, Foodstuffs will contribute a significant amount of food and funding annually to sustain the service, and PAK’nSAVE Whanganui, under the leadership of owner-operator Gareth Jones, will act as a buddy store for the social supermarket, providing local support.
Chief Executive of Foodstuffs North Island, Chris Quin, said such partnerships were critical in supporting local communities.
“We’re a co-op of family grocers who care deeply about making sure every New Zealander has the food and support they need to thrive,” said Quin.
“Partnering with City Mission Whanganui means we’re working together to bring dignity, choice, and hope to those who need it most in a sustainable way that truly makes a difference."
The social supermarket has been expected to deliver three critical benefits to City Mission Whanganui. These include allowing individuals to select the food that best suits their needs and preferences, eliminating unused food parcels by focusing on what people truly need and want and securing reliable funding and resources to ensure the Mission can continue its vital work.
The City Mission will also continue its broader range of services, including financial mentoring through its Total Care Budget programme, supplying food parcels, operating a food hub to distribute food to other organisations, and empowering women through workshops and events.
“Our goal is to be recognised as a strategic partner by local councils and the government, not just as another social service organisation. We believe our unique insights into the community’s needs make us an essential voice in shaping policies that truly support people in Whanganui and beyond,” said Dr Nobbs.
Whanganui’s social supermarket is Foodstuffs North Island's thirteen. Each has been brought to life and managed in partnership with a local community provider.
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