Since 1976, Nelson Environment Centre has been protecting our environment through hands-on waste reduction and reuse. We run innovative waste-minimisation programmes. Our EWaste, ReConstruct and ReUse teams do sell items to ensure a circular economy. By donating directly to the Nelson Environment Centre, we are able to ensure that even more items are kept from landfill.

Food doesn’t break down in the landfill the same way that it does in a compost. In the landfill, the food is buried under other rubbish which means it is starved of oxygen. It then decomposes slowly and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The food that Kai Rescue receives is good enough to eat but is surplus or cannot be sold.

The demand for food is growing. A recent Consumer NZ survey showed that one in three New Zealanders needed help accessing food in the past year.

By ensuring food flows through community groups such as schools, kindergartens, youth services, women’s refuges, mental health organisations, and many others, Kai Rescue not only fills plates but also allows whānau to engage with the wrap-around services that help them build stability and resilience.

Organise a Fundraiser

Would you like to help us fundraise? Get in touch with funding@nec.org.nz to let us know. Help us to protect the environment and feed local whanaū.

Shop at the ReUse shops

6 Vivian Place, Annesbrook! Any surplus we make from the ReUse Shops is put into Kai Rescue. So shopping at the ReUse shops is helping to feed 3000 people every week.

Donate Excess Food

If you would like to make a food donation (whether one-off or recurring) we’d love to hear from you!

We wouldn’t be able to run Kai Rescue without our incredible volunteers. Since 2017, a dedicated team of volunteers have donated over 24,000 hours of their time.

Our volunteers work weekdays normally 8:30am to midday. Please contact Ellie on volunteer@nec.org.nz if you would like to find out more.

Donations of $5 or more are tax deductible. 

Nelson Environment Centre is a registered charity (CC27438) with the Charities Commission.

Your donation goes directly to Kai Rescue to help us rescue more food and pass it onto over 50 community groups around Nelson and Tasman.

Of course, please email funding@nec.org.nz to arrange.