Meat the Need . . . Farmers supporting our communities
Two years on, Meat the Need has passed a major milestone, writes KEM ORMOND
In the midst of the Covid lockdowns during May 2020, dairy farmers Wayne Langford (Golden Bay) and Siobhan O’Malley (Hokitika) had a vision to connect our food producing farmers with New Zealand families in need.
That vision culminated in the creation of Meat the Need: a charity that earlier this year celebrated its two-year anniversary, and this month passed the major milestone of providing 1 million mince meals to families in need across the country.
At the core of the model is the generosity of New Zealand farmers who donate their livestock and are banding together to change the way we respond to food poverty.
The donated livestock is processed by Silver Fern Farms and then Meat the Need distributes the mince out to food banks and community organisations nationwide.
Read more below on the background of Meat the Need and how you can get involved.
Meat the Need is a national charity, designed to supply much-needed mincemeat to City Missions and food banks from Kaitaia to Invercargill, rural and urban.
Farmers start the ball rolling
Farmers are known for their generosity when it comes to caring for the community and when approached about being involved
in such a worthy cause, they have jumped at the opportunity to donate both livestock and cash to get this project under way.
Farmers can donate livestock as part of a regular booking with their Silver Fern Farms Livestock Representative.
Silver Fern Farms supports the process
The donated livestock is processed by Silver Fern Farms in-kind, who then sends the equivalent value of high-quality, nutritious beef mince to a network of foodbanks and City Missions spread across the country.
A link to those in need
Meat the Need works alongside over 100 community organisations who feed vulnerable New Zealanders and arranges the donated meat to arrive on a regular basis.
To date, 1 million red meat meals have been provided to New Zealanders in need since May 2020.
Through Meat the Need’s network, frozen meat can be delivered to various locations around New Zealand. For some of the smaller community foodbanks, a little can go a long way with one donated animal providing enough supply for a few months.
Become a champion
To help them achieve their goals, Meat the Need are looking for volunteers to be a part of their Champion programme. This is an opportunity for people across the country to become involved with Meat the Need, drive donations and most importantly, help fill the fridges and freezers of local food banks. Champions will represent their charity at events and field days, look for donation giving opportunities and network with farmers.
You’ll be inducted into the charity and given the tools and support you need to be a champion. And of course, you will be kitted out with branded apparel.
Ultimately Meat the Need believes no one should go hungry in New Zealand and they would love you to be a part of helping them do that.
If this sounds like you, they would love you to apply! Fill out the application form on their website and they will be in touch.
SILVER FERN FARMS
To promote Meat the Need and with Christmas fast approaching, Silver Fern Farms is promoting a dollar-fordollar campaign for the upcoming season, and is going to match the value of every livestock donation, dollar-for-dollar, through to the end of December. Silver Fern Farms also supports Meat the Need through its Pure Burger range — the company’s first foray into supermarket freezers.
The premium burger range was launched in April 2022 and for every pack sold, $1 is donated to Meat the Need.
To date, 1 million red meat meals have been provided to New Zealanders in need since May 2020.