Illustration of a family with a basket of food.

Food Secure Communities

Kia ora koutou

The Food Secure Communities programme provides support for community food providers who are working alongside people and whānau experiencing food insecurity. Here you will find information about our funding rounds, resources with information about our programme and food security, as well as guidance for community food providers.

If you are looking for support with food for you or your whānau, then you may want to see if you are eligible for financial assistance.

Check what you might get here

You may also want to access food support from one of the many community food providers across New Zealand. Find the one nearest you by checking the Family Services Directory website

Food Secure Communities programme and funding rounds

MSD has invested more than $150m in the community food sector since 2021. This has supported community food providers to meet the increased demand for food from the impacts of COVID-19. The programme invested in community distribution infrastructure which created significant efficiencies in the procurement and distribution of community food. Communities were also supported to develop food security plans and pilot projects to increase vulnerable communities’ access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate kai.

Learn more about these previous funding rounds.

Budget 2023 provides $24.8m over two years to continue the Food Secure Communities Programme. This focuses on three interconnected areas:

  • Maintaining the community food distribution infrastructure to collect and deliver high volumes of surplus and wholesale food - $15m over two years
  • Continuing to invest in long-term approaches to food security such as co-ops, social enterprises and māra kai on a pathway to self-sustainability - $4.0m in 2023/24 and $3.5m in 2024/25.
  • Transitional funding to support community food providers to meet current increased demand and transition out of reliance on government funding - $2.3m funding for 2023/24.

On 26 June 2023 the Government announced a further $6m to continue to support the community food sector meet increased demand for their services in 2023/24.

Due to the targeted nature of this funding, MSD will conduct closed procurement processes to allocate it to the communities who need it most. The Food Secure Communities team will be in touch with your organisation if you are eligible for further funding.

Learn more about our programme and these funding rounds

National partner organisations funding

The Ministry of Social Development is funding three national partner organisations to build sector capability and increase the supply of surplus food for providers.

The three organisations are:

  • New Zealand Food Network
  • Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective
  • Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance.

Find out more about our national partner organisations

Resources and support for community food providers

Additional information is available about making referrals to:

  • Work and Income
  • Family Services Directory
  • Just Kai? webinars
  • Food Secure Communities Pānui.

Learn more about resources and support for community food providers

Contacting us

If any further help is required or you have any other queries, please contact: