With ever-increasing numbers of Kiwis tightening their belts and necessities, such as fruit and vegetables, becoming increasingly harder to source at an affordable price, Wonky Box announces massive expansion across the North Island, with delivery partner New Zealand Post.
Recent weather events and the cost of living crisis have caused unprecedented stress among our country’s local growers and a trickle-down effect on consumers. Wonky Box co-founders Angus Simms and Katie Jackson said they’ve seen first-hand some of the challenges this has caused.
This year they’ve witnessed higher rates of damage to crops and poorer quality vegetables, which has prompted significant increases in in-store prices.
Behind the scenes, Wonky Box has been working closely with a handful of growers to rescue fresh produce that could have gone to waste.
“We receive hundreds of requests from Kiwis across the country every day, asking when we will be expanding our delivery services, as people become more conscious about where they spend their money and what they can do to be more sustainable. We’re pleased to announce that we are expanding our services across North Island today,” said Simms.
It’s estimated that one-third of all produced food is wasted each year globally. Around four percent of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions are from food and organic waste (Ministry for the Environment).
With the help of New Zealand Post’s extensive delivery network and service for perishable items, Wonky Box will start delivering rescued fruit and vegetables to non-rural addresses across the North Island from 17th July.
“It’s comforting to know we can now deliver healthy food options to people in smaller regional towns,” Jackson said.
“We’re especially grateful to our new delivery partner NZ Post. We’ll now be able to reduce even more food waste, support more local growers, and provide fresh produce to even more households.”
Since starting in 2021, Wonky Box has rescued over 100,000 kilograms of produce, which would have otherwise gone to waste, while providing an extra revenue stream to growers.
Debbie Allen, New Zealand Post Head of Sales and Customer Management, said the enterprise was happy working with Wonky Box. The recent eCommerce Spotlight Report showed that 72 percent of online spending is with Kiwi businesses. Allen continued that it was great to see Kiwis supporting Kiwis by reducing food waste, supporting growers and seeing Kiwi businesses like Wonky Box grow.
From today onwards, Wonky Box is available to non-rural addresses in Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton, Napier,Hastings, New Plymouth, Manawatū, Taupō, Tauranga, Thames, Waikato, Wellington, Whakatāne, Whanganui and Whangārei.
