Situation Overview
When Fletcher Living began planning their new development in Riverhead, they encountered an unexpected situation: the land they intended to build on had been an operational kiwifruit orchard and was still laden with acres of ripe, nutritious kiwifruit clinging to the vines. This posed a unique challenge, as they needed to clear the site while being very keen to prevent unnecessary food waste.
Problem Faced by Fletcher Living
Faced with a tight deadline, Fletcher Living lacked the resources, know-how or network to be able to do anything with the kiwifruit quickly. Time was of the essence, but the task required manpower and infrastructure that the company didn't have.
Considering Alternative Solutions
Fletcher Living evaluated two main options. The first was to hire professional kiwifruit pickers and then manage the logistics of storage and delivery to charities—a solution that would incur high costs and significant time on research and logistics internally. The second option was simply to take the trees down along with all the fruit, wasting thousands of nutritious kiwifruit in the process. Neither option felt satisfactory, especially with such valuable food at stake.
NZFN’s Collaborative Solution
In search of a better approach, Fletcher Living contacted NZFN for support. Given their two- to three-week timeframe, NZFN decided to organise a pop-up “gleaning” initiative, gathering a team of volunteers from our Food Hubs, donors, and the community to quickly harvest the kiwifruit.
We were thrilled when Fair Food, Grace Foundation and McCain put up their hands to help out. Thanks to their efforts along with Fletcher Living and NZFN staff, we managed to pick and clear 16 bins (7,000kgs!) of fresh kiwifruit in just two days, which were then distributed to NZFN Food Hubs.
Special Thanks to Our Partners
A huge thank-you goes to Fletcher Living for initiating this collaboration, as well as to our dedicated donor and kiwifruit expert, Punchbowl PackCo.
Punchbowl PackCo were happy to pitch in to the project, and (at no cost) provided essential equipment, a staff member for the day and health and safety guidance, ensuring the gleaning process ran smoothly. The project exemplifies how a desire to do the right thing, alongside community and corporate collaboration can have significant positive outcomes, turning potential waste into a valuable resource for those who need it most.
