Glen Savage, Deputy Principal and Tania McCorkindale, Learning Support Coordinator from Helensville Primary School, with South Kaipara Good food CEO Gemma Donaldson.
South Kaipara Good Food (SKGF), a non-profit organisation based in Te Awaroa Helensville and focused on community food security, is going from strength to strength with its four programmes, which have evolved from the results of careful research - Kai Assist, Kai Grow, Kai Learn, and Kai Rescue - running very smoothly. In September 2022,SKGF was honoured to win big at the local Business Awards, coming out on top in the categories Not for Profit/Social Enterprise, Best New Business (under 1 year of formal operations), Environmental Excellence, and, gratifyingly, the Supreme Award.
Through the Kai Assist programme volunteers deliver parcels of food and household items to people in immediate need. The aim of the Kai Grow programme is to promote locally grown healthy food to increase health and well-being through community, urban and school gardens. Kai Learn aims to increase self-sufficiency and community resilience through food sharing and gardening knowledge, and through the Kai Rescue Programme SKGF acts as intermediary between suppliers and the community, collecting and distributing to those in need food that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Importantly, SKGF works alongside agencies like Te Ha Oranga, Parent Aid NorthWest, Outwest Youth, the Mental Health Team at the Helensville WDHB, South Kaipara Men’s Centre, the Angel Fund, Guardians of Our Children, local schools, and Kindred Family Services, all of whom contribute to supporting the community’s most vulnerable.
Since April 2020, volunteers have packed more than 35,560 bags and worked more than 9,118 hours. While funding provides some paid workers, volunteer engagement is one of the most important parts of SKGF, as without this group of dedicated individuals the preparation of kai packs, the community gardens and upkeep of the Kai Hub would be incredibly difficult. The need now is for more volunteers. If you would like to give some time to this worthwhile organisation please contact Gina Bones, Programme Support Administrator: admin@skgf.org.nz
