Food waste is a major issue in New Zealand. Some of the food that gets thrown out is still perfectly edible. KiwiHarvest and Balle Bros Farms work together to rescue this food from landfill and provide it to people in the community.
A lot of food that goes to landfill is still edible. Some of the food that gets thrown out is close to its expiration date or has just expired. Some of the food produced in New Zealand doesn’t even make it to the shops (eg, fresh produce with surface blemishes or odd shapes). It is often thrown out before it reaches the supermarket shelves).
This is bad for our people and the environment. Food left to rot in landfills releases greenhouse gas emissions which cause climate change. Meanwhile, throwing out good food is wasteful when it can be given away to New Zealanders in need.
New Zealand vegetable growers Balle Bros are working with KiwiHarvest to redistribute produce that has been rejected by restaurants and supermarkets to people in need. On average, Balle Bros redistribute five to 10 tonnes of the produce they grow per week.
KiwiHarvest collects food from growers, businesses and supermarkets and delivers it to community groups around the country.