Foodstuffs North Island and Mangere Budgeting Services Trust have established the first social supermarket in South Auckland.

Named Tatou, which means ‘everyone’ in Maori, Samoan, and Tokelauan, the store offers groceries at a low or no cost through a points system, allowing buyers to select things that meet their dietary, cultural, and personal needs. 

According to Lara Dolan, CEO of Mangere Budgeting Services Trust, the social supermarket will support those experiencing food poverty.   

“Last year we supported 7000 people with access to food, but we can see more need in the community,” she said. 

“By partnering with Foodstuffs North Island, we’re creating an awesome new service for our community, where people can shop with dignity in a supermarket-style environment and choose the items that meet their whanau’s cultural and dietary requirements.” 

Foodstuffs North Island established its first social supermarket in collaboration with Wellington City Mission in March 2021. The co-op has collaborated with nine other community organisations to create more social supermarkets across the North Island, with Tatou becoming the 11th.