Kai Rescue Nelson
We established our Kai Rescue programme in 2017 to help minimise food waste in Nelson Tasman.
Why let good food go to waste in landfill, when it could be feeding people?
food rescued.
953,231kg
meals distributed.
1,906,462kg
emissions prevented.
2,723,517
How Can I Support Kai Rescue?
We welcome help & support in many forms! A few key ways you can help are…
Donate Kai
If you would like to make a food donation (whether one-off or recurring) we’d love to hear from you!
All food welcome - so long as it is still edible & safe to eat!
Volunteer
Our volunteers are truly the force that moves Kai Rescue! Volunteering with Kai Rescue is a fantastic way to get involved in the community, meet new people and power a good cause.
Fund Us
We are very grateful to receive any financial donations to support the operational costs of our Kai Rescue programme - to help feed our community & keep good food from going to waste in landfill.
Where does the food come from?
Each week, our team picks up food from donors such as supermarkets, growers, manufacturers and other food outlets. We collect food that is good enough to eat but is surplus or cannot be sold.
Do you have food you’d like to donate to Kai Rescue?
Driving 100% Electric
In 2022, we were incredibly fortunate to have received full funding for an LDV electric van.
Huge thanks to the generosity of our funders: Mainland Foundation, Simplicity Foundation, Pub Charity, our local Rotary (Clubs of Nelson, Nelson West, Richmond, and Whakatū), and Fonterra.
Who collects & sorts the food?
We have a fantastic team of volunteers and staff who ensure that food is weighed, recorded, sorted and packed into boxes ready for collection by the community groups scheduled to collect each day.
Keen to volunteer with Kai Rescue?
Where does the food go?
We collaborate with a network of 50+ partner organisations in Nelson Tasman, who work to ensure that the kai finds a good home with individuals & families in need.
Need food support?
Please note that Kai Rescue is unable to give food support directly to the public. The food is distributed to our partner recipient groups in the community, who in turn provide the food to those in need. You can refer to the following document below (Kai Support Options Nelson) for some sources of possible food support.
How are we funded?
Kai Rescue is a 100% charitable programme, funded through the goodwill of volunteer hours, donations, and grants. Securing funding for operational costs is a key challenge for our organisation.
Social return on investment.
Check out the Social Return on Investment study undertaken by Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA) to learn about the value of food rescue in NZ communities. Findings indicated that for every $1 invested in food rescue, $4.50 of value is generated.
Like what we do?
Follow us on social media to keep in touch!
Kai Rescue
Address: 156 Toi Toi Street, Nelson South
Phone: 020 4078 4967
Kai Rescue Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8.30am-12pm