In August, the former government announced it was slashing its national food sector budget by almost 90%, from $11 million a year to just over $1m.
The ramifications for food rescue service KiwiHarvest, which picks up excess food, including fresh produce, from across the Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago and redistributes it to those most in need, were dire.
The charity could no longer afford the resort rental price for its Glenda Dr depot, where the food was stored before delivery and had to give notice it would be vacating the premises.
However, with no money in the coffers, it needed to find at least $50,000 to establish a temporary depot on the future site of the Wakatipu Community Hub, behind Frankton’s Five Mile shopping centre, where it will eventually be permanently based.
Last night, in Queenstown about 60 invited guests gathered at that site after a herculean effort from the community, and funding bodies, raised about $250,000, ensuring the wolves would be kept from the temporary depot’s doors for at least the next nine or 10 months.
KiwiHarvest Queenstown branch manager Gary Hough said the response to the charity’s plight had been "absolutely mind-blowing".
"Four months ago, we had no depot, an aged vehicle and we were way off being feasible or sustainable.
"We’re still short year-to-year, operationally ... but it just gives us that timeframe to find that last bit to make it sustainable long-term, which we’re pretty confident we can do."
Mr Hough said two of the biggest wins were a $100,000 Impact100 Wakatipu grant, which funded the purchase of the new food truck and its predecessor, "Lily", to move to Wanaka for collections, and a $111,775 operational grant from Central Lakes Trust.
He was also indebted to a host of Queenstown tradespeople, many of whom donated their services and time.
Four new containers — two of which are being used to store dry food — were shipped in from Dunedin.
"It’s brilliant," Mr Hough said.
"We’re just super thankful to everyone that made it all happen."
Mr Hough said he was now investigating different funding avenues, including potential business partnerships, to sure up long-term support.
