Food Secure Communities
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The Food Secure Communities programme supports the community food sector, who work alongside people and whānau experiencing food insecurity. Here you will find information about our programme and funding rounds, as well as guidance for community food providers.
MSD’s Food Secure Communities programme was established in 2020 and has invested more than $200 million in the community food sector. This funding supported community food providers to meet the increased demand for food driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities also developed food security plans and pilot projects to increase vulnerable communities’ access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate kai.
A key focus for MSD is investment in national and regional food distribution infrastructure. This includes a network of community food hubs and food banks, supported by national partners (New Zealand Food Network, Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance, and Kore Hiakai) to increase food support and food provision capability in difficult times. Our infrastructure investment increases capacity and creates efficiencies in the distribution of food to communities.
If you are looking for support with food for you or your whānau, then you may want to see if you are eligible for financial assistance.
You may also want to access food support from one of the many community food providers across New Zealand. Find the one nearest you by checking the Family Services Directory website
Food Secure Communities funding update (May 2025)
Since 2020, MSD’s Food Secure Communities programme (FSC) has been supporting community food provision through establishing and maintaining a national and regional food distribution infrastructure.
In consideration of the ongoing demand for food support in the community, the Government has reprioritised $15 million for one more year through Budget 2025 to support the maintenance of the existing community food distribution infrastructure.
Budget 2025: Support for community food sector
This funding will be available from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, and will be allocated to:
- $6.4m for three national partners to maintain their operation at a national level,
- $1.5m for up to 50 food hubs to maintain their food distribution infrastructure at a regional level,
- $6.0m for up to 60 food providers to maintain their community food provision at the local level,
- $1.0m for Food Security Initiatives that aim to increase community food resilience and self-sufficiency, and
- $100,000 for evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme
We are currently finalising the process to engage with providers who are eligible to receive future funding. Due to the targeted nature of this funding, MSD will be in touch with your organisation if you are eligible for funding.
We acknowledge that this funding is limited in amount and duration. All New Zealanders can continue to apply for Emergency Special Needs Grants for food. If families or individuals you are engaging with are finding it hard to meet certain living costs, or get an unexpected bill, they can either visit the MSD Work and Income website www.workandincome.govt.nz or call 0800 559 009 to talk with us about their situation.
If you have any questions about this funding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at MSD_Food_Secure_Communities@msd.govt.nz
Food Secure Communities funding (2023)
Budget 2023 provided time-limited funding for the Food Secure Communities programme. In the 2023/24 financial year this enabled:
- Maintenance of the community food distribution infrastructure to collect and deliver high volumes of surplus and wholesale food ($7.5m for the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN), Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA), Kore Hiakai and regional community food hubs for two years)
- Transitional funding to support community food providers to meet increased demand for community food support ($8.3m).
- Funding community food provision in regions affected by the North Island Weather Events (NIWE) ($6m over two years, to June 2024).
For the financial year 2024/25, the existing funding in place to support the maintenance of the community food distribution infrastructure continues to 30 June 2025 ($7.5m for NZFN, AFRA, Kore Hiakai and regional community food hubs).
In consideration of the increased demand for ongoing food support in the community, the Government agreed that $7.5 million of time-limited funding would also be available in 2024/25 to support the community food sector. This funding was allocated to:
- Support 60 community food providers to meet high demand ($6m).
- Invest in 13 food security initiatives which aim to increase the amount of healthy and affordable food in communities ($1.5m).
This funding has been fully distributed.
National partner organisations funding
The Ministry of Social Development is funding three national partner organisations to build sector capability and increase the supply of surplus food for providers.
The three organisations are:
- New Zealand Food Network
- Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective
- Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance.
Resources and support for community food providers
Additional information is available about making referrals to:
- Making referrals to Work and Income
- Family Services Directory
- Just Kai? webinars
- Food Secure Communities Pānui.
- NZFN procurement services
- The Aotearoa Food Parcel Measure
- Food safety guidelines for the food rescue sector
Learn more about resources and support for community food providers
Contacting us
If any further help is required or you have any other queries, please contact us on msd_food_secure_communities@msd.govt.nz
