Demand for Te Puke Hub Food Service Surges as Winter Approaches

Te Puke's The Hub is gearing up for winter as demand for its food service has exploded. In the January-March quarter, the service supported 275 whānau. CEO Scott Nicholson reported that while rough sleepers historically accessed the service, more dual-income families are now receiving aid, with 60-80% of the cohort fitting that description.

The Hub rescued 11,401 kg of food in recent months, preventing it from ending up in landfills. Nicholson noted that approximately 40% of food typically ends up in landfills before reaching market. The Hub remained open after receiving a services contract from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council following a closure threat in 2024. In April alone, the centre had 300 interactions during only 10 working days.

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.