A $350,700 government boost will see the expansion of a food rescue programme distributing surplus food supplied by growers and retailers to people in need across Northland.
The announcement was made by Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage during her visit to Whangārei todayand is part of the Government's plan to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills.
The $350,700 from the Ministry for the Environment's Waste Minimisation Fund will be used to expand the One Double Five Whare Awhina Community House Trust food rescue programme to more Northland communities.
"The new funding allows the trust to build on its successful Whangarei-based project, started in 2016, which has diverted 22 tonnes of food from landfill, providing meals for almost 17,000 people," Sage said.
"Funding for the expanded project will allow the trust to establish a second warehouse and distribution centre, based in Moerewa, which will service more communities including Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Kaeo, Kerikeri and surrounding areas in Northland.