Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, September 24, 2024
Hamilton City Council has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity and fostering community well-being. The “Kai Map,” a digital tool designed to help residents find free and affordable food options, officially went live on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. This initiative is part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to ensure all Hamiltonians have access to healthy food while strengthening community ties.
The launch of the Kai Map builds on the work of the Kai Collective, a community network established during the Covid 19 pandemic. Since 2020, the Kai Collective has collaborated with over 40 key organisations, local groups, and whanau to provide food for those in need across the city. The Kai Map represents the next step in this journey, enabling easier access to kai and encouraging local communities to grow and share food.
A Community Response to Food Insecurity
The Kai Collective was born out of necessity during the height of the pandemic when food insecurity became a growing concern in many households. Hamilton, like many other cities, saw an increased need for food assistance. In response, the Kai Collective mobilised over 40 local groups and organisations to provide food to families facing financial difficulties. Three years on, the demand for kai (food) has not waned.
The Kai Map now features 54 kai locations across the city, including food pantries, community gardens, food banks, and community fruit trees. Each location on the map provides information about when and where food can be accessed, as well as which organisation is overseeing the distribution. This ensures that residents can easily find and utilise food services in their local area.
Councillor Anna Casey-Cox, who has been a member of the Kai Collective since its inception, expressed her pride in seeing the Kai Map come to fruition.
“Kai is not just essential for physical health. It also plays a role in creating a sense of kotahitanga, or unity, within our community,” said Ms Casey-Cox. “The Kai Collective worked closely with the Council’s Community and Social Development team to make it easier for our people to find and grow food in the city, and the Kai Map is the result of that collaboration.”
Reducing Food Waste and Strengthening Community Ties
One of the additional benefits of the Kai Map is its potential to reduce food waste. With extra food being donated to kai sites across the city, less food is likely to be thrown away. Instead, surplus produce from gardens or unused items from pantries can be redistributed to help feed Hamilton’s vulnerable communities.
Ofa Pouono, a member of the Kai Collective, said the Kai Map is an essential tool to help reach more members of the community.
“Our centre is already active in the kai space, with crop swaps, cooking classes, and mana kai,” said Mr Pouono. “Being part of the Kaivolution programme also helps us minimise food waste. The Kai Map will be a great addition to help us reach more people and make sure no whanau goes hungry.”
For those who want to contribute to the map or help with kai distribution, the Council encourages locals to get involved by sharing details of any community food initiatives they know.
Public Feedback and Positive Response
The public’s reaction to the Kai Map has been overwhelmingly positive, with many Hamiltonians welcoming the new tool. Angela Thomas, a local mother of three, said the initiative has come at a perfect time for many struggling families.
“With the rising cost of living, it has been really hard to make ends meet. The Kai Map is such a great idea because it is going to help families like mine access free food that we might not have known about otherwise,” Ms Thomas said. “It also makes me feel more connected to the community, knowing we are all working together to help each other.”
Local student Sam Patel echoed similar sentiments, saying that the map is not just for those in financial difficulty but also for anyone interested in living sustainably.
“I have been trying to live more sustainably, and the idea of community gardens and food pantries is a really cool way to reduce food waste. The Kai Map helps you find all these spots around the city, and I think it will encourage people to get more involved in growing their own food,” said Mr Patel.
Hamilton City Council hopes the Kai Map will encourage more residents to engage in food-sharing and growing initiatives, creating a stronger, more connected community. By reducing food waste, improving food access, and encouraging sustainable living, the Kai Map aims to play a crucial role in ensuring Hamilton remains a city where everyone can thrive.
Hamiltonians are encouraged to explore the map and contribute any additional food sources they may know of, such as food pantries, community gardens, or fruit trees. This can be done by emailing kaimap@hcc.govt.nz or submitting information directly on the Council’s website.
To explore the Kai Map, visit hamilton.govt.nz/kaimap
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
