WORDS AND IMAGES SUPPLIED BY MEAT THE NEED
Meat the Need and Feed Out have proudly donated more than two million mince and milk meals to food banks and community organisations across the country, nourishing communities facing food insecurity with high quality New Zealand protein.
The farmer led charity facilitates donations of livestock, milk, and funds to turn into mince and milk meals.
It’s the only charity in the country to distribute a consistent monthly supply of nutritious protein to 115 food banks and community organisations nationwide, an agricultural initiative for the whole primary sector to be proud of.
As the cost of living continues to bite, recent reports indicate food support services nationwide have seen a 40% increase in demand for help and so too has the demand for Meat the Need services.
“Recent statistics show more than 200,000 children are living in poverty in New Zealand, and more than one in five homes with children run out of food sometimes or often, which is a really disturbing number for a country that produces so much food,” General Manager Zellara Holden said.
“The demand for our services right now is currently unprecedented. We have more than 100 food banks and community organisations on our wait list, and we desperately need more donations to be able to help as many communities, families, and individuals as we possibly can.”
Anyone can make a difference today and support communities across the country by texting “FEED” to 2662 to donate a meal for $3.
Alternatively for farmers, the charity facilitates donations of livestock, milk, virtual livestock, and cash with 100% of donations turned into mince and milk meals.
The process is as simple as talking to your Silver Fern Farms, Miraka or Fonterra representative or heading to meattheneed.org to tell them how much you want to donate and when, and the charity then takes care of the rest with your processor.
Zellara Holden said the charity was proud to be aligned with Ruralco, as a Silver Rural Business Supporter.
“We are extremely thankful and grateful for Ruralco’s ongoing support, allowing us to continue the work we do and services we provide. Our values truly align, and their commitment to uniting rural communities and supporting a sustainable future for New Zealand farming is truly commendable.”
Across Canterbury and South Canterbury, the charity supports 23 food banks and community organisations.
Delta Community Support Trust General Manager Mike Stanley said the mince and milk donations were vital to helping those who need it most and if they weren’t received, his food bank would be compromised and need to close for periods.
“We have seen an increase in numbers and especially in the family and middle-income sector. Drivers are the cost of living, rent, food costs, rates, electricity, and schooling cost rising. 20% of our clients in the last year were classified as working poor, meaning one person is working full time,” he said.
With many facing real strain and pressure across the board, he encouraged those who can, to give back. “If everyone is able to donate a little, then together we can help those that need it.”
Holden said nourishing those facing food insecurity access to high quality mince and milk meals was immeasurable, as they are usually items that are too expensive, and families go without.
“It’s feedback like this that reminds me of the importance of what we do, the vital role our donors and supporters have and the impact we can all have in changing the face of food insecurity in New Zealand.”
“My family have not had meat in months, we make do with what we can afford and what we are given at food banks, we never have meat in our home. Today I fed my family mince pasta bake, it doesn’t seem like much but to my kids it was a luxury. I never thought I would ever find myself in a place I can’t afford to feed my family and to ask for help is not easy, there are not enough words to tell you what this means.”
Head to meattheneed.org to donate now and make a difference.