A group of locals is working hard to reduce food waste and ensure people in need have enough to eat. 
 
Waste Not Want Not, a local food rescue organisation set to launch in June, aims to make a change in the Whakatane community by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and redirecting it to those who need it most. 
 
Founder Janene Maguire and her team have been working with local businesses including New World and PAK'nSAVE, to provide fresh produce, which would otherwise go to waste. They are also engaging with local community groups that could benefit to ensure that they have access to the service. 
 
“Our goal is simple,” Janene says. “We want to create a more sustainable community by rescuing edible food and redistributing it to community members and groups.” 
 
“Every year in New Zealand $872 million of food goes to waste.  This happens for various reasons, but some of this food should be feeding Eastern Bay of Plenty families, not going to landfills.” 
 
With the support of volunteers and partnerships with community organisations such as Pou Whakaaro, Crew, Boomerang Bags, Crop Swap, and The Events Network Trust, Waste Not Want Not will open a drop-in service allowing the community to pick up fresh food for the evenings meal. 
 
This service will start on June 6 and operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-5pm at Pou Whakaaro’s Community Centre, 2 Bracken Street in Whakatane. 
 
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable shopping bags or containers. 
 
For more information contact: Janene Maguire, founder Waste Not Want Not 027 550 0501 janene@ohopebeach.co.nz