Kai Commitment, the not-for-profit organisation driving business-led action on food waste, has launched a new partnership programme, bringing together like-minded organisations from across the food system.

“Our food system is interconnected and no single organisation can solve food waste alone,” says Kaitlin Dawson, Executive Director of Kai Commitment.

“Aotearoa has a rich ecosystem of organisations doing powerful work to reduce food from going to waste and improve our food system. This programme is about aligning our mahi to accelerate change.”

The initial partners of the programme include:

  • New Zealand Food Innovation Network– supporting innovation and growth for food and beverage businesses
  • Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance – representing over 35 local food rescue organisations that redirect quality surplus food to communities, reducing food waste and feeding whānau across the motu
  • New Zealand Food Network– facilitating large-scale food rescue and redistribution
  • GS1 New Zealand– enabling traceability and efficiency through global digital labelling standards

Dawson says the partnership initiative formalises relationships that have grown organically over time.

“We’ve collaborated with these and many other organisations informally for years. This programme gives that work more structure, so we can be more intentional, strategic, and ultimately more impactful.”

The programme is open to organisations that align with Kai Commitment’s mission to reduce food waste and build a resilient, low-waste and sustainable food system.

“The organisations involved, first and foremost, endorse the mission of our organisation, formalising our collaboration shows they are pulling in the same direction as us, ” said Dawson.

As part of the programme, both parties agree to actively look for opportunities to support each other’s work.   In turn, benefiting from shared knowledge, facilitated connections to other organisations, and opportunities for joint campaigns and cross-sector initiatives.

“Wherever you are working in the food system, reducing food waste is a shared challenge and a shared opportunity,” says Dawson. “We welcome other organisations to join us.”

To find out more about the Kai Commitment programme and how you can be involved, contact [email protected]

Learn more about our Partners here: