Charity aims to make 'high-quality' fruit and veg more affordable

04:45, Jun 09 2021
KRISTIE BOLAND/STUFF
Toha Kai’s food box delivery system, Pouaka Kai, offers locally grown organic produce at affordable prices to families in lower income areas of Christchurch.

A Christchurch community project is launching a new food box delivering affordable produce to low-income communities.

Toha Kai’s food box delivery system, Pouaka Kai, will sell packages of locally grown organic produce for $35 each to families in the Woolston and Linwood area, with tips on how to make the most of it.

The non-profit group's co-founder, Michael Reynolds, said it was about finding ways to make high-quality food accessible to people on lower incomes.

“We know income level is a strong determinant,” he said.

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Toha Kai, which means to share food, has collaborated with local organic growers to create the food boxes.

Toha Kai co-founder Michael Reynolds wants to make high-quality food accessible to people on lower incomes.
CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff
Toha Kai co-founder Michael Reynolds wants to make high-quality food accessible to people on lower incomes.

Reynolds said there had been similar, cheaper food box projects in the past, but not for organic, spray-free food.

“We are just trying to take it that step further in terms of the quality,” he said.

Audrie McKenzie, whose family is signed up to get one of the first Pouaka Kai boxes, said it was a great project, not least because it was “supporting the community”.

The Pouaka Kai food boxes will contain a range of seasonal produce.
CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff
The Pouaka Kai food boxes will contain a range of seasonal produce.

Toha Kai offers cooking classes with local chef Jen Pomeroy to help teach people to cook more healthily and, for every food box it sells, it will donate a native plant to the Summit Road Society as part of the waterway restoration program at Avoca Valley.

The Pouaka Kai project starts June 8 with a four-week trial for 20 families.

Reynolds said they aimed to eventually reach 50 to 75 families.

Toha Kai emerged from Roimata Food Commons – a community garden project established in 2017 to promote organic, self-grown produce and community resilience.

More information on the boxes can be found at www.tohakai.org