Food For Free

There are a number of free food sources around Taranaki. If you need food please get in touch with one of the great community groups below and see the list of koha and free food in Taranaki.

Contact them too if, on the other hand, you have excess food through your business, or home-grown produce or are keen to support these inspiring organisations through donations or volunteering.

Free food opportunities

Find below a list of KOHA & FREE Food in New Plymouth/Waitara.

Free food projects and options include:

  • Kai Kitchen - a place that aims to alleviate child poverty through Kai and kindness in Hawera.

  • Neighbourly - has a local group where people can swap food (excess fruit, vegies, baking etc..) or beverages (Kombucha, juices, wine, coffee etc..) with like minded neighbours.

  • On the House - distributing quality surplus food weekly in New Plymouth to those in need.

  • Salvation Army - providing a food Bank and support services in New Plymouth & Hāwera

  • Taranaki Food Banks based in New Plymouth, Waitara, Stratford, Inglewood, Ōpunake, Eltham and Hāwera.

Volunteering opportunities to grow, learn and share include community gardens:

Community and Accessible Orchards:

Besides the organisations listed above, these are also great to share, swap and connect with members in the community who are growing food at home:

  • Crop Swap - brings together backyard gardeners, home bakers and food foragers for swapping and sharing high quality local food on a regular basis.

  • Seed Savers - a local community wide group that share, swap and have fun saving and growing NZ open pollinated seed local to Taranaki and beyond.

List of KOHA & FREE Food in New Plymouth/Waitara

Monday
On The House Free Store – St James Community Hall – 24 Lawry Street, Moturoa. Free food. No judgement. No barriers. Bring your reusable bags. 5pm to 6pm.

Tuesday
Community Breakfast – The Vicarage – 39 Vivian Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 7.30am to 9.45am.
Community Dinner – St Josephs Hall Supper Room – 106 Powderham Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 5.30pm to 7pm.

Thursday
On The House Free Store – Holy Trinity Community Hall – 10 Henui Street, Strandon. Free food. No judgement. No barriers. Bring your reusable bags. 5pm to 6pm.

Sunday
Community Dinner – City Life Church – 24 Egmont Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 6pm to 8pm.

Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8.30pm
Waimanako Café – Metro Plaza – 33 Devon Street West, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 10am to 8pm.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday
New Plymouth Community Foodbank - 40 Vivian Street, New Plymouth Central. Ph 06 7582757 to make an appointment. Food parcels. 12.30pm to 2pm.
Waitara Foodbank – Pātaka Kai – 5 West Quay, Waitara. Apply online. Food parcels. 9am to 3pm.

Tuesday, Thursday
Salvation Army Foodbank – 118 Powderham Street, New Plymouth Central. Ph 06 758 9338 to make an appointment. Food parcels. 10am to midday.

Other locations of Foodbanks in Taranaki

Eltham/Kaponga (82 Bridge St.): Wednesday 10am-2pm

Hāwera (Albion St, opposite skate park): Monday 10am - 12pm

Hāwera Salvation Army (19 Regent St): Friday 10am - 12pm

Stratford Salvation Army (79 Juliet St): Thursday 10:30am - 12:30pm

Inglewood (23 Rimu St - Forrestal Lodge): Friday 9:30am - 10:30am

Inglewood Community Food Bank (6 Mamaku St): Tuesday 1pm - 3pm, Thursday 9am - 11pm, Friday 10am - 1pm

Ōakura (905 Surf Highway RD4): Wednesday 12pm - 3pm

List updated in February 2024.
If you know of other stockists/retailers/suppliers/services or all round fantastic sustainable sources please let us know so that we can include them here.