The whare kai was started by 155 Whare Awhina, as a way of supporting families in need, whilst maintaining dignity and choice while receiving help. Rather than a traditional food bank, families will receive points, based on the size of their family, and will be able to shop in the whare kai using the points. The high cost of living and financial difficulties over the past few years has seen more families struggling with food security in Te Tai Tokerau. 155 Whare Awhina Charitable Trust, which also runs housing support, legal advice and social service support across Te Tai Tokerau, started the whare kai in 2022 after seeing a need in the community. A partnership with Foodstuffs has helped to provide stock and some funding to transition from the idea of a food bank to a social supermarket. Food parcels may not always provide kai that is suitable to a family's needs, and having the flexibility and freedom to choose the products themselves helps whanau have a dignified shopping experience while receiving help. A weekly shopping trip includes a week’s worth of food including items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and cleaning and hygiene products. There are also seedlings available to help whānau start their own home garden. A successful grant from the Northland Grassroots Fund has helped to cover the costs of staffing the supermarket two days a week. Sam Cassidy, of 155 Whare Awhina says “We aim to help all whānau within the community that are needing support with kai. No person should go hungry and we help to alleviate what is a basic need for humanity”. The initiative allows 155 Whare Awhina to support whānau in their journey of asking for help and to guide them towards other support available. The whare kai has helped to alleviate burdens on whānau and has contributed to the hauora of the community by ensuring families have access to food without barriers.
