KiwiHarvest is a charitable organisation which rescues and redistributes food to where it is most needed, and the charity is now in full swing in the wider Cromwell area.

The Queenstown-based team have just expanded their reach into Central Otago, and now do a regular weekly run to Cromwell.

National spokesperson Blandina Diamond says KiwiHarvest had been looking to expand its service into Central Otago, in response to increased demand for food relief services.

“We deal with both food rescue and food poverty.

“We try to collect food before it goes to landfill; when food goes to landfill, it produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas.

“Secondly, we re-purpose that food and deliver it to communities through social service organisations.”

The initiative, she says, takes excess food from local producers, adds food from larger producers, and delivers to social services such as food banks, Salvation Army, schools and youth programmes for distribution where it is needed in each community, free of charge.

“One of the things we are able to do with our national footprint and our sister organisation, the Food Network, is to take food from the larger producers and get it to the smaller centres.

“We use this to supplement the food we’ve had donated locally, and right-size deliveries to each food bank and social service.

“Really, it’s about extending our support into communities where there is a need.”

The Queenstown-based team say Cromwell is an awesome community and they are helping to fill the food gaps.

KiwiHarvest Queenstown coordinator Kayleigh Simons-Smith says they are currently talking to local growers and working to get more on board.

“Cromwell is an awesome community and non-perishables are already being donated to the food bank and other services; but where there are gaps is in terms of perishable stuff like dairy and fresh produce.

“It’s not about the foods you’re able to take to market, it’s excess or second grade produce.

“Your excess is something we can get to people who really need it and wouldn’t otherwise be buying it.”

Kayleigh explains they deliver to agencies such as food banks, so that local agencies distribute according to local need.

“If you or someone you know is in need, go to the Cromwell Community House and they will direct you to the right place to get food support.

“We support the organisations that in turn distribute food support to families in need in their community.

“Less waste, and more people being fed.”

Growers, food producers and social agencies can contact KiwiHarvest Queenstown branch on [email protected] or phone 0800 601 609.

Images supplied