We believe that creating positive impact extends beyond where our clients invest. It is also about how we contribute to the communities we are part of.
That’s why our team volunteers with Fair Food every year.
Fair Food is an Auckland-based charity tackling two significant challenges at once: food insecurity and food waste. Their innovative model rescues quality surplus food and redistributes it to people who need it most through a network of community organisations, schools, food banks, women’s refuges and transitional housing providers.
Fighting hunger differently
What makes Fair Food particularly impressive is their focus on long-term impact.
While access to nutritious food remains a critical need for many New Zealanders, Fair Food recognises that food alone is not the solution to poverty. Alongside providing fresh produce, dairy, meat and prepared meals, they also offer practical programmes that help people build confidence and skills for the future.
These initiatives include:
- Free warehouse and hospitality training programmes
- Employment readiness support
- Cooking on a budget and food literacy classes
- Programmes for young mums, rangatahi and people rebuilding their lives after trauma
By combining immediate support with opportunities for greater independence, Fair Food is helping create pathways out of hardship.
An impact that reaches thousands
The scale of Fair Food’s work is remarkable.
In the past year alone, the organisation has:
- Shared over 829,000 kilograms of food with the community – that’s equivalent to three Airbus A380s!
- Supported more than 61,500 people
- Prevented nearly 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by stopping good food from going to waste
Their network of more than 70 community partners means food can be distributed quickly and effectively to families and individuals when they need it most.
Even more impressive is the efficiency of their model. Because all food is donated and much of the operation is powered by volunteers, Fair Food can distribute a meal for less than $1 in operating costs.
Why this matters to us
One of our key values is to consider the broader impact of our decisions on people, communities and the environment.
Fair Food’s work reflects many of the same principles that guide our approach to investing:
- Supporting positive social outcomes
- Reducing unnecessary waste
- Strengthening community resilience
- Creating long-term, sustainable change
Their ability to simultaneously address food insecurity, environmental sustainability and employment outcomes demonstrates how interconnected social and environmental issues can be.
Giving back together
Each year, our team spends time volunteering with Fair Food, helping sort and distribute food that might otherwise go to waste.
It is a hands-on reminder that meaningful impact often starts with practical action. Whether through investing, volunteering or supporting organisations making a difference, we all have opportunities to contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.
We’re proud to support Fair Food and the important work they do every day.
If you’d like to learn more about Fair Food or support their mission, visit www.fairfood.org.nz.
At Ethical Investing NZ, we are passionate about supporting organisations and initiatives that create positive outcomes for people, communities and the planet. Our annual volunteer day with Fair Food is one small way we put those values into action.
