Another empowering food support growing in popularity is ‘buying kai’ where Salvation Army centres host initiatives that help clients and the community access food at affordable prices. This is achieved in two forms – the hosting of traditional fruit and vegetable co-ops, as well as a more intentional, holistic form of co-op called Kiwi Kai Co-op which brings together more affordable shopping, home gardening, volunteering and sharing of kai for co-op members. By helping whānau access affordable kai we can avoid or reduce the need for food parcel support.
Cost savings are a key benefit of the co-ops but they also offer important social and health benefits, ensuring ready access to nutritious kai that may otherwise be unaffordable and providing an opportunity for social connection through the weekly tasks of sorting and packing fruit and vege boxes for co-op members. Kiwi Kai Co-op goes further delivering social and development benefits by connecting members through weekly packing, sharing of excess kai through pātaka and growing vegetables through home gardens in planter boxes and tubs. The ultimate goal is for members to take over leadership and running of the co-op freeing up Salvation Army kai champions to start up new co-ops elsewhere. Learn more about Kiwi Kai Co-op through this video.
Exploring Te Kai Mākona | Choosing Kai | Sharing Kai | Growing Kai | Buying Kai | Cooking Kai | Connecting Through Kai | Partnering Around Kai