If your vegetable garden is full to bursting or your trees are full of fruit, don’t let the excess produce go to waste. 

The Food Security Network is reminding locals they can drop off any surplus autumn produce at one of the nine community produce stands around the Upper Clutha.

“By sharing food, we can reduce food waste and ensure that everyone in our community has access to nutritious, locally grown kai,” Community Networks/LINK food security project coordinator Daisy Watford said. 

Along with fresh fruit and vegetables, the stands also accept other food products including jams, preserves, eggs, and baked goods.

They are designed to reduce food waste, increase food security and enable food sharing throughout the community, Daisy said. 

A Hāwea Flat produce stand was stocked with apples, lettuce, rhubarb, flowers and more on Monday afternoon. 

“The stands are there for everyone to enjoy. In fact, we need the community to take from them for it to work.”

"Grab a piece of fruit for the kids after swimming at the Rec Centre or during your shop at Wastebusters. Please don’t be shy, you’re helping us reduce food waste.”

The stand’s locations include the Wānaka Community Hub, Wānaka Wastebusters, Wānaka Recreation Centre, Lake Hāwea Community Centre, Hopkins Street in Luggate, Sherwin Avenue in Albert Town, The Sharing Shed in Hāwea Flat, Camphill Road in Hāwea Flat, and Kanuka Corner Early Childhood Centre in Lake Hāwea. 

Another stand at Kahu Youth will be added soon, Daisy said. 

The Food Security Network was formed in July 2021 by Community Networks/LINK as part of the organisation’s longstanding commitment to food security and food resilience.

The group consists of Community Networks/LINK, Wastebusters, QLDC, WAO, Food for Love, Grow Wānaka, Kahu Youth, Hāwea Food Forest, Wānaka Vegetable Grower’s Club, and Dr Compost.

It continues to collaborate on food security projects, with more initiatives lined up for later in the year.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App