City Mission Whanganui and Foodstuffs North Island today opened the doors to a new social supermarket in Whanganui, bringing dignity and choice by enabling those in need to select their own groceries.
City Mission Whanganui, a charitable trust established in the early 1990s, has long supported individuals and families facing financial crises. In 2023, the Mission distributed over 4,000 food parcels, enough to feed nearly 10,000 people for a week.
The launch of the social supermarket represents a significant evolution in how the Mission delivers its services.
“It directly addresses the shame often felt by those who rely on food support by offering them the dignity of choice,” said Dr Antony Nobbs, City Missioner.
“Too often those in need are given food and have little or no say in what they receive, and which may not best meet the needs of them and their families. Social Supermarkets let them shop from a wide range of grocery items, and critically, they have control over what they select.”
Dr Nobbs said, “the Social Supermarket would help the Mission operate more efficiently, reducing food wastage, meeting the specific needs of the community and providing greater certainty about its ability to serve Whanganui in the years ahead.”
The social supermarket is expected to deliver three key benefits for City Mission Whanganui:
1. Dignity through choice: Allowing individuals to select the food that best suits their needs and preferences.
2. Efficiency and reduced waste: Eliminating unused food parcels by focusing on what people truly need and want.
3. Sustainability: Securing reliable funding and resources to ensure the Mission can continue its vital work.
The City Mission will also continue its broader range of services, including financial mentoring through its Total Care Budget programme, continuing to supply food parcels, operating a food hub to distribute food to other organisations, and empowering women through workshops and events.
“Our goal is to be recognised as a strategic partner by local councils and the government, not just as another social service organisation,” said Dr Nobbs. “We believe our unique insights into the community’s needs make us an essential voice in shaping policies that truly support people in Whanganui and beyond.”
Whanganui’s social supermarket is Foodstuffs North Islands 13th social supermarket, each one brought to life and managed in partnership with a local community provider.
The social supermarket is located at 9 Park Place, Whanganui. For more information, please contact [email protected]