Free Store to help Westies
Aucklanders are set to benefit from the leftovers of supermarkets and food retailers with a FreeStore set to open in West Auckland, next week, for a one month trial.
The Free Store follows a concept adopted in cities worldwide where leftover but edible products from retailers and growers, are given free of charge to members of the community - particularly those in need.
The West Auckland store, which opens on Monday, will be open to anyone in the community but particularly to people struggling to pay their weekly food bill but unwilling or ineligible to access a food bank.
Lou Lennane, from the Community Development, Arts and Culture team of Auckland Council, said the items available would include those with reject packaging, misshapen food, damaged items, bakery items, cereal, coffee, and produce.
Lennane said supermarkets, small food retailers, growers and producers were all on board.
''We have even had donations of produce from the gardens at Henderson Primary School.''
There is also expected to be a large artistic component to the store, including a sculpture created by Henderson Primary School students from waste food packaging.
"This is an exciting concept to bring to Auckland, and we’re proud to be doing the trial in Waitakere. It will be very interesting to see how the community responds," Vanessa Neeson, chair of the Henderson-Massey Local Board said.
The project is supported by funding from Auckland Council, but has largely been made possible by donations of all labour and services.
The space was donated for free, with free paint, carpet and carpet laying and graphic design students produced the artwork for the shop promotion.
FreeStore Waitakere will be open from 14 February – 11 March at 398 Great North Road, Henderson, Monday-Saturday from 10am.
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Auckland CouncilNew Zealand’s largest city holds a wealth of creative talent and businesses, making it, without a doubt, New Zealand’s home of the creative industries. Auckland's unique arts, culture and creative enterprises not only enrich the cultural landscape of the city and its inhabitants but also make a vital contribution to the city’s economic success.
Auckland Council is committed to making Auckland an arts and culture centre by supporting the abundance of talented creative people who call Auckland home, and creating attractive business and lifestyle options for all who choose to live, work and play here.
The council supports the arts and creative industries in the following ways:
- Support and funding for arts organisations, artists ,arts and cultural groups
- Provision of arts facilities, such as the Art Gallery and ArtStation
- Design and delivery of a public art collection and programme
- Support of performing arts venues such as The Aotea Centre, Civic Theatre and Auckland Townhall
- Funding support for independent performing arts venues such as Q Theatre and The Basement
- Arts and creative sector research and policy and strategy such as Arts Agenda, Blueprint and Arts in Public Places – Public Art Policy
- Urban design of city environments such as Fort Street and Elliot street redevelopments
- City planning and management of projects like Aotea Quarter development
- Provision of world class library resources
- Support of industry associations and business events such as The Big Idea, ART Survive and Thrive forums and Film Auckland
- Delivery of community services to maintain and develop community and recreation facilities and centres
- Support and delivery of community and major events such as Pasifika Festival, Lantern Festival and Music in Parks
- Facilitation of film productions in the regionTo find out more about Auckland Council’s support of the creative industries and how this can benefit you or your creative business visit www.auckland.govt.nz or phone 09 379 2020
Auckland Council is proud to support The Big Idea. Through The Big Idea, Auckland Council can effectively engage with Auckland’s creative community, and promote the arts and culture services it provides.
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