Foodstuffs North Island has been serving New Zealanders since 1922 when a grocer named J. Heaton Barker called together members of the Auckland Masters Grocers Association to discuss plans for a co-operative buying group.
“Turning 100 is a huge milestone, and we’re very privileged to be a part of so many New Zealand communities. Amongst all the challenges, we were also able to take some time to acknowledge and honour all the people and the achievements that’s gone into making Foodstuffs North Island what it is today. People and the incredible work they do are at the very centre of every success story we have to tell from the last century, and our 100-year events have been an incredible journey through our shared history,” said Chris Quin, Chief Executive of Foodstuffs North Island.
“The grocery industry never stands still and, as a team of thousands, working together is more important than ever as we face into the cost of living crisis. Between May and December in 2022, we held food price inflation below supplier cost increases and FPI, something I’m very proud of, and as our centenary year comes to a close, we’re more focused than ever on keeping the cost of doing business down and helping our customers find value. Being Here for NZ is the way we’ve done things in our co-op for 100 years, and it’s how we will go into the next 100 – we’ll constantly be growing and evolving to keep on exceeding our customers’ expectations."
A round-up of highlights from the 2022 centenary year:
January - A new parental leave policy providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave regardless of gender.
February - disaster relief for the people of Tonga totalled over $50,000, and the Landing Drive Support Centre achieved a Six Green Star rating.
May - Rainbow Tick accreditation for the Support Centre and Supply Chain offices.
June - Partnership with Te Kahu Oranga Whānau to open Te Hiku Pātaka, a social supermarket in Kaitāia
July - Annual Checker of the Year event celebrating the retail excellence of frontline teams
August - A three-week immersive exhibition telling the story of the co-op’s past, present and future, and a partnership with Butterbean Motivation (BBM) to open a social supermarket in Tokoroa.
September - Partnership with Whare Āwhina to open 155 Whare Kai, a social supermarket based in Whangārei and the launch of the Gender Affirmation Policy for support centre and supply chain teams.
November - Partnership with the Linkt Community Trust to open a social supermarket in Otūmoetai.
