Hub aim is food in, food out, less waste

Community groups unite to feed people

This is about kai coming in, and kai going out.

Food comes in, food goes out . . . that’s the concept behind a new food hub initiative in Katikati. Katikati will have its own community food hub by April with a focus on stopping a huge amount of food waste, and feeding people instead.

Katikati Taiao manager Sharaine Steenberg says if we all work together, no one will go hungry.

The charitable trust will grow the supply of food for local foodbanks and food parcel delivery services like Katikati Christian Food Bank, Kura Kai and Maori wardens. The idea is to minimise food waste in Katikati, Waihi Beach, Waihi and surrounding areas.

“This about kai coming in, and kai going out,” community activator Alan Maxwell says. “We want to lessen waste and redirect it into the community.”

Sharaine says about 70 cent of food goes to waste — “Food doesn’t look the way we think it should, we let our food go bad in our refrigerators and we leave our food uneaten on our plates.”

Katikati Food Hub will operate at the side of the Katikati Christian Centre Assemblies of God building (the Innovation Hub).

Alan Maxwell, community activator

The food hub is in collaboration with Good Neighbour Tauranga, Katikati Rotary, Katikati Lions, Katikati Community Centre, Katikati Christian Foodbank, Maori Wardens, Chrome Collective Trust, local Pacifica churches and the Christian Outreach Trust.

Sharaine says similar hubs — such as Good Neighbour in Tauranga — are too far away for foodbanks and other services to travel. “One of our Maori wardens drives to Tauranga every single week to Good Neighbour.”

Two weeks ago a group from Katikati visited Good Neighbour Tauranga and The Hub Te Puke to gather information towards the establishment of a kai hub in Katikati.

Members of the community are encouraged to get involved if you can contribute or volunteer. Growers with surplus food are encouraged to get in contact. Phone 021 0855 8161 or hello@katikatitaiao.org

Bottom: A group from Katikati visited The Hub Te Puke and Good Neighbour Tauranga with a view to setting up its own food hub. From left is John Bothwell (Katikati Rotary), Acacia ( health science student), Martina Bluegum (Katikati Taiao), Dave Sherrif (Christian Centre), Sue Spriggens (Katikati Christian Foodbank), Liz (Christian Centre), Sharaine (Katikati Taiao), Shelley (Chrome Collective), Patrick Rounds (Katikati Community Baptist Church) and Angela Wallace (Katikati Community Centre).

Photo / Rebecca Mauger Right: Sharaine Steenberg and Alan Maxwell are excited about the new community food hub which will operate out of the Katikati Christian Centre.