Food Rescue Aoraki

19/05/2026

Great to see new candidate making a visit and seeing how Food Rescue Aoraki is contributing to the local food banks

17/05/2026

The warehouse was filled today with lots of rescued goodies to go out to all our community groups. We had produce, bread and groceries to give out.
Our volunteers, Trudy and Leyland and manager, Helen, had a busy morning sorting the boxes for the community organisations that we support.

11/05/2026

We welcome the new Operations Manager, Luke Reihana who has taken up the role as of today.
Good to have you on board,

08/05/2026

Farewell story for Helen.
Thank you Helen for your courage to set up this new organisation and determination to ensure that rescued food is given out to those other organisations that run food banks. There is still a need for food for those in need.

Celebrating buying a new van in 2024 are volunteers and staff (from left) Trudy Ropata, Karen Henderson, Christine Phillips, and Helen McKeown, the purchase made diverting edible waste from the landfill much easier. PHOTO: SHELLEY INON

19/04/2026

Food Rescue Aoraki does not give out food parcels to individuals but supplies the local foodbanks . If you are in need, please contact the local foodbanks directly.
St Vincent de Paul operates a foodbank in Ashburton located at the 84 Victoria Street Opportunity Shop. They provide food parcels to community members in need.

Contact and Location Information
Address: 84 Victoria Street, Ashburton 7700
Foodbank Phone Number: 027 607 0107

Salvation Army Ashburton
Counselling and assistance with food, furniture and clothing is available from the Ashburton office. Please contact them at:

Ashburton Community Ministries
Corner Cass & Cameron Streets,
Ashburton
Phone: (03) 308 7610

19/04/2026

Food Rescue Aoraki rescues food and distributes it to the local food banks. We do not give out food parcels to individuals.
If you are in need of a food parcel, please contact the following Food Banks in Timaru.

The Salvation Army Timaru Corps: Operates an appointment system for food and practical support.
Phone: (03) 684 7139
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.

St. Vincent De Paul Society: Provides food parcels for urgent needs.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Family Works South Canterbury: Provides urgent assistance specifically to families they are working with.

Phone: 03 687 7945

16/04/2026

Food Rescue Aoraki is always in need of volunteers to help sort and pack boxes of rescued food.
Today we welcome Chelsea who has joined us today and is busy learning the ropes. Christine, our Warehouse Manager has been training her today of sorting and packing.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact us via messenger or pop by our warehouse at 9 Rothwell Street, Redruth.

09/04/2026

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360977651/food-bank-demand-south-canterbury-fuel-prices-rise-and-school-holidays-near

The fuel crisis is having a flow-on effect for organisations providing emergency food supplies in the South Canterbury region.

26/03/2026

Great to see you all

19/03/2026

Thanks to the generosity of Canterbury Fruit Company, we are the recipients of bags of fresh apples that we have been able to distribute to both our Ashburton and TImaru clients.
Fresh fruit is a bonus to families wanting to fill lunch boxes.
Thanks again to Mike Reed, from CFC for thinking of us and for your generous donation.

08/03/2026

Did your New Year resolution include looking for a volunteer role this year??? Now is your chance to put that resolution into action and become a volunteer with Food Rescue Aoraki in Timaru.
What we do:
Rescue food that would otherwise go to landfill and distribute to the local food banks.

What you would do:
Help with the pickup of surplus food
Sort and pack items to go our to food banks
What we offer:

Work with other like minded people
Enjoy the fellowship
Learn new skills
Feel valued and appreciated

Help save the planet, one banana box at a time.

Come down and visit us at 3 Rothwell Street and see what we do and how you can help.