KiwiHarvest’s Role in Reducing CO2 Emissions
the environmental cost of food waste
For more information on food waste in New Zealand, visit Rabobank.co.nz/foodwaste
Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Today it is estimated that 30% of the food produced globally ends up in landfills. All along the food production line, from farms to distribution centers, grocery stores, restaurants and home kitchens, food is getting wasted along the way. This waste is equal to 1.3 billion tonnes of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, seafood, and grains that end up destined for landfill. When food ends up in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), producing methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. This makes the reduction of food waste not just a matter of food security, but also an environmental imperative.
So far, KiwiHarvest has managed to rescue over 11 million kilograms of food that was on the brink of being wasted. This effort has done more than just feed families across New Zealand but has also kept over 31 million equivalent kilograms of CO2 from polluting our atmosphere. These numbers are a testament to our commitment and the environmental change we’re striving to create. This blog post explores how our mission is curbing the environmental footprint of food waste.
Making a difference one meal at a time
In a world grappling with climate change, we are passionate about making a real difference, not just in our communities but for our planet, too. Every month, we rescue about 200,000 kilograms of perfectly good food, preventing this from ending up in landfills and redistributing it to communities struggling to put food on the table. Our approach at KiwiHarvest isn’t just about feeding people, but about nurturing our planet too. Every time we divert food from heading to the landfill, we are cutting down on the greenhouse gases that would have been emitted and, at the same time, ensuring that the rescued food serves its primary purpose of feeding families. It’s this dual impact that really defines what we stand for – a commitment to bolstering food security and environmental sustainability.
Diving deeper into how we can make this happen
It all starts with our incredible team of food rescue drivers; this dedicated team are the heartbeat of KiwiHarvest, navigating the roads daily to save surplus food from businesses across the country. Meticulously planned; our drivers coordinate with a network of food donors, including supermarkets, wholesalers, distributors, and processors to collect food that’s still perfectly good to eat but can no longer be sold. This could be due to packaging damage, limited shelf life, slightly out of spec, or discontinued stock. Every morning our drivers spring into action, ensuring that food is quickly and safely transported to where it’s needed most. Our drivers are not only a transportation link, but they also form relationships with donors and recipients alike, ensuring that every kilogram of food we rescue has the maximum possible impact. It’s a logistical balancing act that requires precision, care, and a whole lot of heart – all to make sure that good food gets to those who need it, rather than contributing to landfill and thus creating GHG emissions.
Redirecting Food to Those in Need
After we rescue the food, we make it our mission to ensure it reaches the hands of those who need it most. Our network spans over 220 recipient charities, all dedicated to uplifting communities with the support of education, temporary housing, advocacy, and life skills. The recipient agencies we support aim to uplift those in our community, providing an essential lifeline at a time when help is needed the most. This process isn’t just about distributing food; it’s essential to the support each of our recipient charities provides to the community they’re assisting, and making sure the hard work and resources that went into producing this food serves their intended purpose. It’s a careful balance of meeting immediate needs and honoring the environmental investment in every item of food we save, ensuring nothing goes to waste in both a literal and ecological sense.
At KiwiHarvest, we’ve seen firsthand how tackling hunger and environmental sustainability are parts of the same mission. Through our food rescue efforts, we’ve been able to provide meals to tens of thousands while also making a decent dent in reducing the carbon footprint of food waste in New Zealand. It’s a journey that continues to inspire us every day, showing that with the right approach and help from an army of volunteers and supporters like you, KiwiHarvest can make a significant and positive difference to our planet.
You can be part of this meaningful journey. Your support is crucial in helping us continue our mission. By donating to KiwiHarvest, you’re not just contributing financially; you’re investing in a sustainable future and providing direct relief to those in need. Every donation, big or small, helps us rescue more food and feed more people, making a tangible difference in the fight against hunger and environmental degradation.
Join us in this mission, and let’s make a lasting impact together