Foodstuffs North Island has announced plans to open Coromandel’s first social supermarket in Paeroa in partnership with Te Whāriki Manawāhine O Hauraki.
The store will be called Pātaka Kai – Hauraki Social Supermarket, meaning store house or pantry in te reo, and is a collaborative effort aimed at addressing food insecurity in the community while preserving the mana and dignity of those in need.
Food and grocery products will be offered at low or no cost, utilising a points system, all within a standard supermarket environment, making healthy and affordable food accessible to the community.
Tania Weidenbohm, Board of Trustee Member for Te Whāriki Manawāhine O Hauraki, said they currently provide food support to over 150 families a week, so the idea behind partnering with Foodstuffs North Island to open a social supermarket is to give these families and community an empowering experience.
“We’re going to be offering a supermarket-style environment where people experiencing food insecurity will have the opportunity to choose items that meet their dietary, cultural, and personal preferences.”
Willa Hand, Social Supermarket Lead for Foodstuffs North Island, said they know many families are doing it tough right now, which is why they are on a mission to open social supermarkets right across the North Island.
“We’re big on community collaboration and have been really impressed by the mahi put in by Te Whāriki Manawāhine O Hauraki and their commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of their community and can’t wait to open this social supermarket in December.”
Hand explained that Foodstuffs expertise lies in retailing, while by Te Whāriki Manawāhine O Hauraki are great at making a big impact on the communities they work in.
“Our teams fit out the space to create the store, provide the training and ongoing support as-well-as making a commitment to help keep the shelves stocked. Te Whāriki Manawāhine O Hauraki help design the social supermarket, so it caters for the needs of the local community and put in the mahi to provide an awesome service. It’s a real partnership.”
Pātaka Kai is scheduled to open its doors on 15 December 2023.
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