Cracking start for 'rescued food' project

The official Waiwaste launch event at Express Lunchbar Cafe on Wednesday September 9 at 5pm will be open to everyone. FILE PHOTO

FOOD rescue group Waiwaste's three-month trial run has proved successful as more than 300kg of edible food has been diverted from the landfill into the mouths of Masterton's needy people.

A small group of volunteers, operating out of Masterton Foodbank premises, have been rescuing food from two cafes, preventing food waste one sandwich at a time. The successful trial has led to the official launch of Waiwaste.

"Things are looking really promising at this stage and everyone is really pumped," Waiwaste food rescue co-ordinator Glenn McIsaac said.

After collecting food that is good enough to eat, but not to sell, Waiwaste re-distributes it to charities that provide food for vulnerable people, primarily Foodbank.

"We've had really good positive feedback from the volunteers at the foodbank. We get really good food ... we're dishing out sandwiches that you'd pay $6 for in a cafe," he said.

Mr McIsaac hopes Waiwaste will get more businesses on board as collection sites and find new social service agencies to distribute to.

"This is a good thing and it can only get better one would hope," he said.

Mr McIsaac acknowledges the project has room for improvement.

"It's a really good system and it's been working at the moment.

"It needs to be fine-tuned and all that, but we're all but five minutes old," he said.

The official Waiwaste launch event at Express Lunchbar Cafe on Wednesday September 9 at 5pm will be open to everyone.

For more information visit the Waiwaste Facebook page.