Uncertainty after food banks funding set to run out next year

The Budget allocated an annual $8 million in baseline funding to pay for food distribution, which includes collecting surplus and donated food, and delivering it to places like food banks. Food banks themselves have also been allocated $7 million in 2026-27, but no more beyond that.

Salvation Army food security manager Sonya Cameron congratulated the Government for committing to $8 million baseline funding for aspects of the food distribution chain.

“The problem is the funding for the third tier, which is the food banks, is time limited, that is only for one year and that will run out in June next year. The Government has basically said that it is supporting us due to current cost-of-living pressures, but it will stop next year, and then we are back on our own,” Ms Cameron said.

She said it was difficult to estimate how many food banks might have to close from next year.

“Salvation Army operates around 65 food banks. We will continue. But what we have already seen is that, as funding has reduced over the years . . . we have seen quite a lot of food banks that have closed, as well as other community food organisations. It is hard to say, but we have seen a lot of change already.”

The Government is providing for some food support, but Ms Cameron said “what is actually missing is probably the end of the spectrum which is the food banks which are working directly with whanau”, providing food parcels, food support and being able to connect people to services.

“For example, obviously when people come to see us, they might have problems with debt, they might have problems with income support, they might have problems with their housing. The problem we might have now is that we’re simply unable to provide those . . . sort of wrap-around services for whanau,” Ms Cameron said. 

The Ministry of Social Development’s Food Secure Communities programme was established in 2020 and has invested more than $230 million in the community food sector.

MSD said the Government is providing $8 million per year in baseline funding as a commitment to maintaining national and regional food distribution infrastructure, which has delivered significant efficiencies.

An additional $7 million allocated for 2026-27 to continue support for community food providers reflects the Government’s recognition that demand for food assistance remains high, driven by ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures, and that continued support is required across communities, MSD stated.

FULL STORY

Salvation Army food security manager concerned about funding dry-up (NewsTalkZB)

Food Secure Communities (Ministry of Social Development)