Foodstuffs North Island is expanding its social supermarket initiative to a new partnership with 155 Whare Āwhina in Whangarei. The supermarket will be an extension of the wrap-around community services 155 Whare Āwhina already provides, including legal advice, homeless support and a Foodbank that sends 90 to 150 food parcels each week.
“As a community, we care about our whānau and their needs so it’s wonderful that whānau will have the ability to pick what they need. We hope the social supermarket will bring our community aroha (genuine care), manaakitanga (sense of safety and welcoming space), whanaungatanga (built on a trusted relationship) and rangatiratanga,” said Liz Cassidy-Nelson, 155 Whare Āwhina CEO.
"When people have an emergency and need food, they come to a traditional foodbank and more often than not just get given what they get given. That's really helpful, but it doesn't take into consideration cultural needs, allergies, food preferences," said Willa Hand, Foodstuffs North Island Head of Membership Experience.
Social supermarkets are for when individuals or families have an emergency need and are struggling to put food on the table. The intention is to have a range of products available on the shelves that allows people to have dignity in choice.
The social supermarket is located at 3 Woods Road in Whangarei.
