Demand on national food charity rises by 83% in two years
A national charity addressing food insecurity in Aotearoa has experienced an 83% increase in demand on its services over two years.
The New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) distributed more than 25 million kilograms of rescued and donated food to people in need over 3.5 years – the equivalent to more than 60 million meals.
But demand on its services had not slowed down, chief executive Gavin Findlay said. “The ongoing cost of living issues are continuing to have an impact, especially in the food space.”
Recent data showed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared with the year before. Meanwhile, compared with 2021, the demand had increased 83%.
On average, NZFN supported an average of more than 630,000 people per month through its partner food hubs in 2023. Services included food parcels, community meals, social supermarkets and free stores.
On average, a third of monthly recipients had never sought help before.
“We have to be very, very aware that there’s a real proportion of the population of New Zealand who are really struggling to feed themselves and that has to be highlighted and addressed,” Findlay said.
In some cases, it was families with two incomes who still struggled to put adequate food on the table.
Tracy Wellington, chief executive of NZFN partner Food Hub, Kiwi Community Assistance, said demand from its partner agencies was outstripping its supply.
“In 2024, pretty much everything we collect from food rescue is gone within minutes of our trucks returning to our base. The stock from NZFN is gone within 24 hours of its arrival.”
Nearly all of the Food Hubs – 90% – stated the rising cost of living as a top reason for recipients seeking food support, followed by low household or individual income due to low-paying jobs (63%), and unexpected bills or expenses (58% up from 53%). On average, 41% of the food distributed was supplied by NZFN.
It was why NZFN set up its 12-month campaign called Pitch In, which aimed to virtually fill Auckland’s Eden Park sports field with 100,000 meals.
Findlay encouraged people to donate as it reached almost halfway through the campaign.
As of March, the organisation provided 30,000 meals from funds raised by the campaign.
Former All Black Piri Weepu, who became involved in the campaign last year, recently helped put food packages together. He had personally experienced the gratitude people expressed, being supported by organisations at a time of need.
“If you’re in a position to help those in need, by all means reach out and help donate cause it can go a long way,” Weepu said.
Super Rugby club Moana Pasifika and Counties Manukau rugby player, Samuel Slade, was also involved in the campaign.
He was driven by his personal experience of food insecurity growing up.
“When I was a kid, there wasn’t always enough food and so now that I am fortunate enough to be in a position to help, I thought I may as well.”
There was still a lot of stigma attached to asking for help, he said. But services like the NZFN made help feel more accessible through its food hubs. “I just hope that I can aid and hopefully make a difference.”
Slade encouraged anyone who can to help donate – “anything helps”.