Foodstuffs, New Zealand’s largest supermarket operator, collaborated with food rescue organisations to donate the equivalent of 6.3 million meals to Kiwis in need last year. 

This action is part of the company’s four core promises in its social responsibility program – to support every New Zealander to access healthy and affordable food, create meaningful work, support local communities to thrive, and to be industry leaders in sustainability.

Other highlights achieved by Foodstuffs’ stores, customers, and partners to deliver the commitment to be Here for New Zealand are listed in the company’s 2022 Social Responsibility Report:

• More than 19,000 New World Family2Family bags were donated nationwide to local food banks.
• The first ever Pak’canSave appeal saw nearly 80,000 cans donated to local food banks by generous customers, with Pak’nSave donating $200,000.
• New generation energy-efficient stores the company opened use 40 per cent less energy.
• Eighty-five per cent of in-store packaging and 95 per cent of Foodstuffs’ own-brand packaging is now reusable, recyclable or compostable at home. 

Mary Devine, CEO at Foodstuffs South Island, says the report demonstrates the company’s responsibilities to people and the planet. 

“From the tremendous efforts of our owner-operators and their teams to the people in our support functions across the nation, we recognise the importance of our role as a locally owned co-operative in looking after New Zealand and its future,” said Devine.

CEO of Foodstuffs North Island, Chris Quin, said that despite a year of many challenges – including inflation, rising living costs, and the Covid-19 pandemic – he is proud of his team’s hard work and unwavering support for communities across New Zealand.

“I’m in awe of how our teams across the country came together, more resolutely than ever, to look after our customers and their communities in the past 12 months,” said Quin. 

“As a 100-per-cent locally owned and operated cooperative, we remain focused on delivering value and affordability to our customers daily.”

With Foodstuffs North Island’s Social Supermarket a success already – reimagining the traditional food bank model – Foodstuffs South Island has provided seed funding to Christchurch City Mission to help launch the South Island’s first Social Supermarket.

Foodstuffs says improving environmental outcomes and reducing its footprint internally are a constant commitment. The company continues to try various sustainable options across its businesses, from new store openings to making more eco-friendly decisions in their distribution centres.