A Mongolian man has been scoping out Food Rescue Northland's operation before he heads home to set up something similar.
Zorigt Bayantur hails from the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, and has been living in New Zealand for four years with his wife Undariy Tumursukh and sons Arikhat Zorigt, 12, and Anand Zorigt, 6.
Turmursukh has been completing her PhD at AUT in Auckland, and it was during that time she got to know Whangarei's Carol Peters. The pair, and their families have become friends.
Peters set up Food Rescue Northland last year which collects surplus food from Whangārei growers and retailers and distributes it to community groups who support people in need.
Bayantur said Peters told him about the project and it struck a chord with him.