The New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) and its dedicated partners and volunteers have rescued seven tonnes of edible kiwifruit.
This initiative was made possible after Fletcher Living alerted them about a substantial kiwifruit crop ready for harvest and distribution to the community.
While planning the development of their Riverhead site, Fletcher Living faced the challenge of what to do with acres of edible and nutritious kiwifruit. They sought a sustainable solution that would avoid waste.
“Giving back to the community is a core part of our Fletcher Living culture. Knowing we needed to clear the kiwifruit from our site, we saw an opportunity to support others who might be struggling right now instead of letting the fruit go to waste,” said Kelsey Bergin, Development Manager from Fletcher Living.
“NZFN was a great partner for this project. They quickly found a solution that was sustainable and would benefit the community. Even with the best intentions, we couldn’t have picked that amount of fruit on our own, so we encourage other businesses to work with NZFN if they can.”
NZFN moved quickly to find an efficient and safe way to clear the kiwifruit. They enlisted the help of Punchbowl PackCo Ltd, an existing food donor and kiwifruit expert, who generously provided all necessary equipment, staff resources, and health and safety guidance at no cost.
A team of volunteers, including representatives from NZFN Food Hubs, Fair Food and Grace Foundation, McCain Foods, Fletcher Living, and NZFN staff, joined forces to pick and clear the kiwifruit, which was then transported to NZFN's warehouse in Penrose.
The kiwifruit was sorted, packed into boxes, and distributed to NZFN’s Auckland-based Food Hubs to ensure the fresh produce reached those most needed.
"This collaboration is a shining example of how communities and businesses can come together to address critical issues like food waste and food insecurity,” said Gavin Findlay, CEO of NZFN.
“Rescuing this fruit prevents delicious food from being wasted and distributes fresh, nutritious produce to those in need. We’re thankful to Fletcher Living for turning to us for support – it's a win-win situation that shows what can be achieved when we work together."
NZFN has been dedicated to eliminating food waste and ensuring all New Zealanders can access nutritious food. Corporate and community partnerships like this are critical elements of its operations.
