Charity helps keep food out of landfills

A Marlborough charity is helping keep the region’s landfills free of tonnes of unwanted food.

John’s Kitchen, in Blenheim, helps feed about 500 people every week by using and donating food which would otherwise go to waste. Co-ordinator Janette Walker says supermarkets throw out ‘‘huge amounts’’ of food three days before they reach their expiry dates.

By giving these goods to people or using them to feed hungry families, Janette says the organisation is recycling on a massive scale.

The organisation is an entrant in the Cawthron Marlborough Environmental Awards community innovation category.

‘‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the food and it’s otherwise going to waste,’’ Janette says.

‘‘We receive goods from two Marlborough supermarkets, especially milk, bread and cheese. They can’t keep it so it comes to us and if it doesn’t all get used in the kitchen then we hand it on to someone who really needs it.

‘‘I’ve had 300 kilograms of potatoes donated as they couldn’t be sold and were going to be thrown away. This way we are helping those that need it most, and the environment.

Janette started volunteering with the kitchen in 2014 and took over from former co-ordinator John Symington in 2015.

The kitchen began 15 years ago at the Wesley Centre in Blenheim, moving to the Crossroads Community Centre on Redwood St in 2009. A team of about 80 volunteers help provide free meals.

The kitchen costs $200 to run each day and relies on donations, grants and volunteers.

- Paula Hulburt

PHOTO: DEREK FLYNN/FAIRFAX NZ John’s Kitchen helps reduce the amount of food which would otherwise be dumped, says co-ordinator Janette Walker.