How it Works

Why should you donate food?

• It’s a free service and you save on your waste costs. We will collect your surplus food at no cost to you.
• You will attract more customers. Our volunteers and friends are always keen to support the businesses that donate to us. Donating increases the value of your brand.
• Your customers will love that you are reducing waste and donating to community organisations at the same time.
• Donating your surplus food is good for staff morale.
• Donating is EASY! It’s no different to throwing food away. Instead of throwing food into a bin, just throw it into a bag or cardboard box for us to pick up.

How do I donate food?

• Contact us below to discuss the food donation you’d like to make. We’ll give you:
  • Information about the foods that Waiwaste does and doesn’t rescue (please also see below)
  • Official food donation advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
  • A Memorandum of Understanding which outlines Waiwaste’s and your responsibilities when donating food.
• Once you’re signed up as a food donor, we’ll arrange a pick-up schedule that suits you. This may be a regular pick-up each day or week, or an ad hoc pick-up when you have food to donate.
• At the arranged time, our volunteers will collect your quality surplus food.
• Donated food is taken to Foodbank in Masterton, where it is checked for quality before distributing through Foodbank parcels and to community groups.
• Food that doesn’t meet our quality standards for passing on to community groups is either fed to animals or composted.
• Food is handled and stored in line with the highest food safety standards throughout the entire process.