Since July 2020, Sanitarium and the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have distributed an incredible 10 million breakfast servings of Weet-Bix and other cereals to over 60 NZFN Food Hubs. These hubs are on the frontlines, tackling food insecurity across the country.
However, the need for donations has become more urgent. Recent data from NZFN reveals that their Food Hubs can only meet about 60% of the growing demand for food assistance, leaving many families without the support they need.
Liz Cassidy-Nelson, Chief Executive of the 155 Whare Āwhina Food Hub, emphasises the importance of food donations to her community.
“The number of people seeking help keeps rising, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep our social supermarket shelves stocked. We’re deeply grateful for every food donation, but essentials like Weet-Bix and Anchor milk, staples of a classic Kiwi breakfast, remain highly sought after. These are the items everyone values most,” Cassidy-Nelson explains.
As food insecurity worsens, the call for more donations has never been clearer.
Sanitarium’s contribution has been vital for NZFN, which has seen a 30% decrease in the number of people its recipient Food Hubs are able to support over the January to June 2024 period, compared to the previous survey. Furthermore, 9 in 10 Food Hubs cited the rising cost of living as the top reason their recipients came to them for help.
NZFN Chief Executive Gavin Findlay expresses deep gratitude for Sanitarium’s unwavering support over the past four years, emphasizing the powerful impact it has made.
“We are immensely thankful for the generosity Sanitarium has shown, and for their continued passion for our mission. Their consistent contributions have allowed us to provide nutritious breakfasts to the communities we serve, particularly at a time when more and more whānau are struggling to put food on the table. For those who have courageously reached out for help, receiving trusted and familiar household brands like Weet-Bix isn’t just about nourishment—it’s a source of comfort and empowerment during a time of immense uncertainty,” Findlay says.
As demand for food support intensifies, Sanitarium’s dedication remains a critical lifeline for families facing the ongoing crisis.
Sanitarium NZ General Manager, Michael Barton says, “Serving our communities in need is part of our purpose to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. So many Kiwis need a helping hand and we’re proud that our partnership with the New Zealand Food Network ensures that we can help deliver this food to the communities that need it most, building healthy, sustainable communities together.”
Sanitarium’s unwavering support has also played a significant role in helping NZFN reach the finish line of its Pitch In initiative. As more and more families struggled to put food on the table, NZFN last year put an urgent call out for Kiwis to ‘Pitch In’ and (virtually) fill Auckland’s iconic Eden Park with meals by World Food Day 2024. With the appeal coming to a close earlier this month, NZFN successfully filled the field twice, delivering 200,000 meals to Kiwis in need thanks to the generous donations from individuals and food businesses such as Sanitarium.
However, the demand for food support continues to increase.
Learn more about how you can support the New Zealand Food Network athttps://www.nzfoodnetwork.org.nz/donate-bulk-food/
