The Papatoetoe Food Hub, a successful social enterprise business supported by Healthy Families South Auckland, hosted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on July 17 to share their kaupapa around good food and improving South Auckland’s food system.

Joining the Prime Minister were South Auckland MPs Hon Aupito William Sio and Hon Jenny Salesa. 

The trio were shown a bit of Auckland’s local history as the premises which the Food Hub operates from is that of a former netball club and court and the commercial kitchen is a recognisable food truck known previously as The Old White Lady.

The Papatoetoe Food Hub is a cafe and learning space where locals learn and enjoy good healthy food. All meals are created from an upcycled menu, meaning all ingredients are rescued surplus produce. 

The team at the Food Hub have built relationships with local businesses, like the nearby Papatoetoe New World, to rescue surplus produce and transform it into affordable meals and juices. The relationship with Papatoetoe New World alone has seen 15 tonnes of produce being upcycled into good food since September 2019.

The Food Hub is also currently running its soup in schools winter initiative with local schools, with the initiative being supported with produce from local Pukekohe farmers.

Healthy Families South Auckland was involved in creating the idea of the Food Hub alongside other major stakeholders like Panuku Development back in 2018, and has continued to provide support to the initiative.

“The Food Hub is a great example of an alternative model to enhance community food resilience and support a sustainable and local food economy,” says Healthy Families South Auckland manager George Makapatama.

“Food is a catalyst for change in South Auckland especially when it comes to the overall wellbeing of the community, whether providing employment to local youth or helping grow affordable healthy eating options.”