Pātaka ‘social supermarket’ opening
A “social supermarket” aimed at helping struggling families is opening this month in Kaitaia.
Foodstuffs – the 100% New Zealand owned and operated cooperative behind Pak’n Save, New World and Four Square – is behind the innovative social supermarket initiative.
The supermarket will be called Te Hiku Pātaka.
Foodstuffs has partnered with Te Kahu Oranga Whānau, a collective of iwi and Māori organisations in Te Hiku o te Ika (the Far North), including Waitomo Papakāinga Development Trust, Te Whare Ruruhau O Meri, Te Rūnanga o te Rarawa and Tuhiata Mahi Ora, who are all pulling together to transform the premises in Kaitaia, into a social supermarket.
The collective chose the name Pātaka as it refers to a food storehouse or community pantry – a place that replenishes local whānau and is contributed to by all.
The pātaka will enable people experiencing food insecurity to choose their own items from a wide selection of groceries, rather than being issued a standard food parcel.
‘‘It’s about nourishing our whānau and communities, affirming our tikanga of sharing kai and growing, harvesting and gathering kai,’’ said Phillip Murray of Te Kahu Oranga Whānau.
‘‘The Pātaka will be a place where our people can experience manaaki, being served and supported with dignity, respect and aroha.
‘‘It’s a place where whānau can exercise their own choices. It’s also a place that feels, looks and sounds like it’s for them as well, so it will be a place where people will feel comfortable to come and get access to the food they need.’’
Foodstuffs North Island membership experience head Willa Hand says this initiative is an important part of the cooperative’s promise to be ‘‘Here for NZ’’, making a commitment to ensure everyone in Aotearoa has access to healthy food and supporting communities to thrive.
Hand says dignified choice is at the heart of the Pātaka, making it different from other food relief.
‘‘When people have an emergency and need food, they come to a traditional foodbank and more often than not just get given what they get given. That’s really helpful, but it doesn’t take into consideration cultural needs, allergies, food likes and dislikes,’’ she said.
‘‘The idea behind social supermarkets is that when individuals or families have an emergency need for whatever reason – maybe they’re having a tough week, or a tough month and are struggling to put food on the table – we can do more than just give them what we have in a pre-packed food parcel.
‘‘The intention is to have a range of products on the shelves in our social supermarket that enables them to come in, have the dignity of choosing the products they need themselves, so they can make the kind of meals they want to cook, shopping in an environment that looks and feels like a normal supermarket."
The opening of Te Hiku Pātaka follows the success of a social supermarket partnership between Foodstuffs North Island and Wellington City Mission. In its first year of operation, this initiative helped 3268 Wellingtonians who needed food support shop with dignity in a supermarket environment and also access other support services to help them get back on their feet.
Foodstuffs, which donated more than 8.9 million meals through its Here for NZ food rescue partnerships and relationships in 2021, now plans to roll
idea behind social supermarkets is that when individuals or families have an emergency need for whatever reason . . . we can do more than just give them what we have in a prepacked food parcel.’’
Foodstuffs North Island membership experience head
out its social supermarket initiatives to more communities in the year ahead.
Discussions are already under way with community partners in six regions, including Tauranga and Whangārei, to set up similar social supermarkets and make a meaningful difference to New Zealanders in need of food support.
“It’s hard to imagine that in just a few short weeks the building will be transformed into a fully fledged supermarket environment.
‘‘ The team are amazing; they bring their years of experience and mahi to bring the place to life to help others. It’s a great experience for all of us to be making a meaningful difference.”