Sustainability Superstar
2022 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by NZI
Lawyer turned social entrepreneur, Deborah Manning, always knew she wanted to make a positive difference and leave the world a better place for future generations.
Ten years ago, she saw a solution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s dual problems of food insecurity and food waste. Deborah launched KiwiHarvest in Dunedin in 2012. Initially she collected rescued and donated food in her car, and delivered it to local social service agencies and food banks to distribute to families in need. Today, KiwiHarvest has grown to become Aotearoa’s largest food rescue organisation serving communities across the country.
While KiwiHarvest flourished, Deborah still recognised that the food rescue sector was missing an efficient solution that could get large volumes of surplus food from food businesses into vulnerable communities.
Her answer was a comprehensive, nationwide organisation, New Zealand Food Network. This organisation would streamline the systems that connect food donors and food charities. Since launching in 2020, the Network has transformed the food rescue sector, bringing efficiency and scale, and successfully connecting food supply and demand.
Beyond this, Deborah is a member and past co-chair of New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3. She’s also a leading voice in advocacy, strategy and education on food waste and food security.