Food

Again Again has diverted nearly 40,000 single-use containers from landfills through its reusable packaging platform.

The business implements a circular economy model for reusable takeaway packaging, reducing waste in the food industry. The system allows users to borrow, return and track containers seamlessly, making it easy to avoid single-use waste. With a new zero-waste event solution, Again Again disrupts traditional festival waste management, providing reusable alternatives for cups and containers. This innovation supports sustainable practices without sacrificing convenience, helping to reshape waste norms in the takeaway industry.

Citizen and NZ Cherry Corp have pioneered two circular food upcycle initiatives to save millions of cherries and thousands of loaves of bread going to waste.

Citizen, in partnership with NZ Cherry Corp, has introduced two initiatives, “Bread into Beer into Bread” and “Cherries into Cherry Cola into Cherry Rum & Cola”. This is enabling surplus food to find new applications in consumer products. Every can of Citizen beer uses the fermentable sugars from one slice of bread that would otherwise have gone to waste or low value stock feed, while two million cherries have been upcycled into new products. These partnerships extend across the food supply chain, showcasing how collaboration can turn waste into valuable resources. Citizen’s efforts offer a replicable model for sustainable food production and waste reduction.

Deborah Manning’s vision for the New Zealand Food Network has helped reshape the distribution of surplus food in Aotearoa New Zealand and solidified her as a food waste champion.

In 2012, Deborah was reading two articles – one about ‘dumpster diving’ for edible food and another about our increasing rates of child poverty. Seeing an opportunity to address both issues, KiwiHarvest was born. It is now Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest food rescue organisation.

Recognising a need for a nationwide distribution system, Deborah championed the creation of the New Zealand Food Network, which filled critical gaps in the food supply chain, especially during Covid-19.

Donald Shepherd has saved thousands of loaves of bread and millions of cherries from going to waste through two innovative food upcycle initiatives.

Donald leads Citizen, Aotearoa New Zealand’s first food upcycle company dedicated to fighting food waste through circular production methods. Citizen’s “Bread to Beer to Bread” and “Cherries to Cherry Cola to Cherry Rum” initiatives transform surplus food into new products. They create ‘closed-loop’ systems that reduce waste and preserve resources. Donald’s partnerships with growers, bakers, brewers and retailers emphasise collaboration in tackling food waste.

Since 2017, Eden Orchards has rescued more than 2.4 million kilograms of imperfect fruit, transforming it into pure juice.

Eden Orchards addresses food waste by using surplus, cosmetically imperfect fruit for juice production without added sugars or preservatives. The company has developed a juicing process that flash-pasteurises the juice, maximising its nutritional value while ensuring it remains shelf-stable for over a year. Eden Orchards reduces waste by composting residuals and supports fair wages.

Kaitlin Dawson has showcased more than 120 organisations working on food waste solutions.

Kaitlin’s leadership in the New Zealand Food Waste Champions aims to unify businesses and communities and make food waste action a priority on government and industry agendas. By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, Kaitlin’s work has gained international recognition and eight major New Zealand businesses are now actively addressing food waste across their supply chains.

Mushroom House strives to unlock the potential of the humble mushroom through tasty mushroom innovations.

This urban farm supplies fresh oyster mushrooms while repurposing by-products as garden nutrients, enriching urban soils and supporting local food systems. The model lowers transportation emissions by operating within city limits. It fosters job creation and supports small businesses, and its educational initiatives empower community members.

In just two months, PAK’nSAVE’s Savey Meal-bot generated 70,000 unique recipes.

Savey Meal-bot, an AI-powered tool, empowers Kiwis to reduce food waste by creating recipes from leftovers and pantry staples. It aims to curb the annual $1,500 of food waste generated by every New Zealand household. Savey Meal-bot encourages people to “shop their fridge first”. This innovative approach addresses food waste while providing a practical, money-saving tool that resonates with environmentally-conscious consumers.

Since 2021, Fair Food has diverted six million meals from landfill to feed Auckland families.

Fair Food tackles food insecurity and waste through community collaboration, redistributing surplus food to those in need. By partnering with more than 70 diverse organisations, Fair Food provides essential nutrition to Auckland communities. Volunteers and charity partners play a crucial role, turning surplus into sustenance and reducing landfill impact. In the past year alone, Fair Food calculated it has saved 1613 tonnes of emissions by reducing food waste. Fair Food’s efforts underscore the power of local, community-driven initiatives to foster social and environmental wellbeing.

Since 2020, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) has distributed more than 30 million kilograms of food to communities facing food insecurity.

NZFN connects surplus food from businesses to communities in need, addressing both food insecurity and food waste. Through strategic partnerships and sustainable distribution operations, NZFN efficiently provides food and essentials to those who need them while preventing waste. This model has delivered 71 million meals and avoided more than 47 million kilograms of emissions. The scalable, circular approach to food distribution is the first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand, offering a nationwide solution that supports a sustainable, equitable and resilient food system.

Yum Jar NZ has diverted more than 120 tonnes of glass from Wellington’s waste streams in just four years.

The business delivers plant-based meal kits with ingredients packaged in glass jars across Wellington. By recovering packaging from customers with each new delivery, Yum Jar NZ eliminates single-use containers and supports circular economy practices. Since mid-2020, Yum Jar NZ has distributed more than 18,000 meal boxes; helping customers reduce household waste. The business has recovered and reused over 120 tonnes of glass jars from waste and recycling streams. This business model champions environmental responsibility, showing how local businesses can make an impact on waste reduction and sustainability.