Fair Food

What Fair Food does

Fair Food NZ is a registered New Zealand charitable organization (CC48507) founded in 2011 and headquartered at 624 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland. It operates a food rescue and redistribution model that collects surplus fresh food from supermarkets including Woolworths (16 stores daily), Farro Fresh, and Foodstuffs, alongside manufacturers such as Sanitarium, Prepared Produce, Lisa's Hummus, Island Gelato, and Aussie Butcher, then channels it through a network of 70 community partner organizations serving vulnerable families across Tāmaki Makaurau. Operational products include the Kai Sorting programme (packing rescued produce into boxes for distribution), the Conscious Kitchen (preparing ~500 meals and meal kits weekly from surplus ingredients), and a 9-week Work Skills Programme that funds external certifications in food safety, barista, and first aid for participants seeking employment.

The underlying technology is modest and primarily administrative: a Squarespace website, a custom volunteer portal at volunteer.fairfood.org.nz supporting shift booking with email, Google Sign-In, and passkey authentication, and a downloadable recipe zine (Kete). There are no proprietary AI or ML systems; core logistics run on volunteer labor, trucks collecting from supermarket partners, and the Avondale hub for sorting and meal preparation. Impact tracking is data-driven at the operational level, with cumulative metrics of 4,775,324 kg rescued, 10,611,831 meals shared, and 12,655 tonnes of CO₂ avoided since 2011, and 2024 figures of 1.8M meals, 1,730 tonnes of GHG reduction, and supply for 53,299 people.

The business model is a hybrid charity revenue stack. In-kind donations of surplus food from supermarkets and manufacturers form the primary operational input. Cash revenue comes from individual monetary donations, fundraising events, $1-per-scoop cause-marketing campaigns, the $1,000 custom corporate team volunteering experience (up to 10 people for the full-day program), $180 Shared Table dining tickets sold through Humanitix, and grant funding from foundations such as Hoku Foundation. The organization runs with 1-10 paid staff, supplemented by 1,400+ volunteers (500+ active weekly) and is led by General Manager Michelle Blau under the patronage of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro.

Name

Fair Food

Legal name

Fair Food NZ

Website

https://fairfood.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fair Food NZ is an Auckland-based food rescue charity that collects surplus fresh food from supermarkets and manufacturers and redistributes it through 70 community organizations serving food-insecure families across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Rescue Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAD

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGALAL

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

Keywords

• Food rescue charity
• Surplus food redistribution
• Community food support
• Food waste reduction
• Volunteer meal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Food Donations: Receives surplus fresh food donations from supermarkets (Woolworths, Farro Fresh, Foodstuffs) and food manufacturers (Prepared Produce, Lisa's Hummus, Island Gelato, Sanitarium, Aussie Butcher). This is the primary input for their operations.
2. Monetary Donations: Individual and corporate donations including major gifts (bank transfer or online form), fundraising activities (marathons, morning teas), and $1 per scoop campaigns with partners like Island Gelato.
3. Corporate Team Volunteering Fees: Charges fees for corporate team building experiences ($1,000 for custom team experience of up to 10 people), enabling trained staff to guide teams and fund operations.
4. Grant Funding: Support from foundations like Hoku Foundation, government funding, and organizational sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Fair Food NZ is a food rescue charity that collects surplus fresh food from supermarkets and manufacturers in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and redistributes it through a network of 70 community organizations. Each day they sort, cook and package approximately 2,400 kg of rescued kai into kai boxes for distribution to families facing food insecurity, and they operate a Conscious Kitchen that prepares around 500 meals weekly from surplus ingredients. The organization also offers paid corporate team volunteering experiences and a 9-week Work Skills training programme.

Product overview

Fair Food NZ is an Auckland-based food rescue charity operating since 2011 that rescues surplus fresh food from supermarkets and manufacturers and distributes it to community organisations serving families in need. The organisation offers a volunteer portal for shift management alongside hands-on food rescue programmes including Kai Sorting (sorting and packing rescued food into kai boxes for 70+ recipient groups), the Conscious Kitchen (preparing approximately 500 meals weekly from surplus ingredients), and the Work Skills Programme (a 9-week training with certification). Additional offerings include Corporate Volunteering team-building experiences, Inclusive Volunteering for people with disabilities, Warehouse Assistant shifts, and Shared Table fine dining events showcasing rescued ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kai Sorting and Kai Boxes Daily volunteer-driven food rescue programme that hand-sorts fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, eggs and pantry goods rescued from supermarkets across Tāmaki Makaurau and packs them into kai boxes for distribution through 70 recipient groups including schools, young parents groups, food banks, mental health services, domestic violence shelters and social service agencies. Runs Monday 11-3, Tuesday-Friday 12-3, Saturdays 10-1 and 2:30, and Sundays 3-6 with Sunday Blessings.
• Conscious Kitchen Commercial kitchen programme where volunteers transform surplus ingredients that cannot be distributed whole into meals and meal kits — including soups, curries and quiche. Prepares approximately 500 meals and meal kits each week, with sessions Tuesday to Thursday 9-12. Mondays host the Young Onset Dementia Collective cook-along and Fridays are dedicated to Hospitality Skills volunteer training.
• Corporate Volunteering Experiences Paid team-building experiences for corporate groups at the Avondale hub, where teams prep kai in the Conscious Kitchen or pack fresh food into boxes for community distribution. Sessions available 9:00-12:00 or 11:30-3:30, with a full custom experience 9:30-3:30 priced at $1,000 for teams of up to 10 people. More than 150 unique companies have participated; each person prepares fresh groceries for about 200 meals.
• Work Skills Programme 9-week skills training programme for people seeking employment or work experience in food manufacturing, warehouse logistics, or hospitality. Fair Food pays for external certification (food safety, barista, first aid), provides lunch and a kai parcel, and assists with job applications. The next group starts in July.
• Shared Table Dining Series Intimate fine dining experience series partnering with top Kiwi chefs, featuring three canapés and a four-course dinner using rescued ingredients. Tickets are $180 each via Humanitix, with proceeds providing a week's worth of groceries to three families in crisis.
• Volunteer Portal Web-based platform at volunteer.fairfood.org.nz for managing volunteer shifts, accounts and communications. Allows volunteers to browse open shifts, book sessions, cancel bookings up to 12 hours before, and receive reminders. Supports sign-in via email/password, Google Sign-In, or passkeys.
• Inclusive Volunteering Adapted volunteering programme for people with disabilities, support needs, or those who prefer to attend with a friend or carer. Accommodates wheelchair users, offers sensory-aware sessions, and accepts group bookings. Runs by arrangement with pre-registered groups.
• Warehouse Assistant Shifts Specialised volunteer shifts for experienced volunteers who have completed the Skills Programme or volunteered before. Involves unloading trucks and assisting with weighing and sorting rescued food. Runs Mondays 12-2.
• Kete — A Conscious Kitchen Guide Downloadable recipe book zine produced by Fair Food's Conscious Kitchen, providing guidance on best-before dates and creative cooking techniques to make the most of food.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,775,324 kg of food rescued since 2011
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• WoolworthscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor supermarket partner that donates surplus food daily and sponsors Fair Food's operations. 16 Woolworths stores supply food to Fair Food each day. Woolworths also provides funding to ensure this kai gets to people who need it most.
• Farro FreshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupermarket partner that donates surplus food and collaborates on sustainability initiatives. Farro sends less than 1% of their food to landfill, making them a model for sustainability. They hosted Fair Food's hospitality skills team, fundraise annually, sell Fair Food merchandise, and won the 2026 Waitā Sustainable Food Donor award.
• FoodstuffscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupermarket partner that donates surplus food to Fair Food's operations.
• Prepared ProducecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier food partner that sponsors Fair Food's critical operations, enabling them to feed people rather than landfill.
• Lisa's HummuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier food partner that sponsors Fair Food's operations. Lisa's regularly donates food to the community, volunteers at the Hub, and helps sponsor the culinary journey of the Conscious Kitchen.
• Island GelatocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier food partner known for sustainable food innovation including gelato made from upcycling imperfect gold kumara. Collaborated on limited edition Buttery Hot Cross Bun & Custard gelato with $1 from each scoop benefiting Fair Food.
• SanitariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier food partner that sponsors Fair Food's critical operations, helping them feed people rather than landfill.
• Aussie Butcher New LynncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbassador and premier food partner. Through this partnership, Fair Food shares over 75,000 meals to the community and receives thousands of dollars worth of meat to distribute. Owner Reuben Sharples promotes Fair Food across the food sector. Katie Sharples volunteers in the Conscious Kitchen. Won the 2026 Te Punga award.
• NZ Food NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair Food is a Tier 1 partner of the New Zealand Food Network, connecting food rescue operations across the country.
• Aotearoa Food Rescue AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair Food is an active member of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance, connecting with the broader food rescue ecosystem.
• West City Auto GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFleet support partner that keeps Fair Food's fleet in top condition so they can feed people, not landfill. Won the 2024 Hiwa-i-te-rangi Funder of the Year award.
• Whau Local BoardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided new cameras on Fair Food's fleet for safety on the road.
• Air New ZealandsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor promoting team volunteering opportunities at Fair Food.
• HumanitixsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketing platform for Shared Table fine dining series, with ticket proceeds benefiting Fair Food ($180 per ticket provides a week's worth of groceries to three families).

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• FareShare: UK charity that rescues surplus food and cooks it into meals for people in need. Direct parallel to Fair Food's Conscious Kitchen model of transforming surplus ingredients into prepared meals for vulnerable communities.
• FoodCloud: Ireland-based social enterprise connecting surplus food from retailers to charities via a technology platform. Comparable tech-enabled food rescue model, though more focused on software-as-a-service delivery than physical redistribution.
• City Harvest: New York City food rescue organisation collecting surplus food from restaurants, grocers, and manufacturers for distribution to community programmes. Comparable urban food rescue model with a strong volunteer backbone.

Direct peers

• KiwiHarvest: New Zealand's largest food rescue charity, redistributing surplus food from supermarkets and producers to community organisations. Direct peer in mission, model, and geography, though operating at national scale across the North Island.
• Foodbank New Zealand: Federated network of regional foodbanks distributing food parcels to people in need across NZ. Comparable in end-recipient support and Fresh Food distribution model through partner organisations.
• New Zealand Food Network: National food rescue distribution network that Fair Food is a Tier 1 partner of. Comparable in mission (redirecting surplus food to communities in need) and serves as a hub connecting regional food rescue operators across NZ.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army New Zealand: Major NZ charitable organisation running foodbank and social services programmes that receive redistributed food. Acts as a downstream community partner in the same food-insecurity value chain rather than a direct competitor.

Others

• Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance: Industry body of which Fair Food is a member, coordinating food rescue efforts across New Zealand. Adjacent peer acting as an ecosystem convener and national voice for food rescue operators.

Regional players

• OzHarvest: Australia's leading food rescue charity, collecting surplus food from retailers and redistributing it to charities. Closest international peer in scale, model, and philosophy, with parallel chef-driven fundraising dinners (类似 Shared Table).
• SecondBite: Australian food rescue organisation redistributing surplus fresh food to community organisations. Direct parallel in business model (supplier-to-charity redistribution through a partner network) operating across the Tasman.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fairfoodnz
• Instagraminstagram.com/fairfoodnz
• Xx.com/fairfoodnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fairfoodnz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fair Food