Meet the Need Launches Inaugural Impact Report
As the cost of living continues to climb and more families struggle to put food on the table, Meet the Need has released its first-ever Impact Report, highlighting the power of community-driven food support.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, Meet the Need delivered over 1.19 million mince and milk meals to whānau across New Zealand — thanks to the generosity of Kiwi farmers, food producers, and partners who share a belief that no one should go hungry in a country that grows so much.
“Each meal we deliver is a message: ‘You are not forgotten,’” says Zellara Holden, General Manager of Meet the Need. “We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made together — connecting the food grown on our farms directly to the families who need it most.”
Key Impact Stats (2024–2025):
– 655,684 mince meals delivered
– 539,952 milk meals shared
– 1,195,636 total servings delivered in 12 months
– 130+ foodbanks and community groups supported monthly
– 659 unique donors this year, 2,047 total to date
– 2.9 million meals delivered since launching in 2020
Real Stories Behind the Stats
Every number represents a real person, a real family, and a real moment of relief.
“Your delicious meals were like a hug every day… the sense of being supported and not alone meant so much,” shared one Wanaka recipient.
“I hadn’t bought meat for 8 months. When I saw mince in the freezer, I cried,” said another foodbank client.
Even young New Zealanders are stepping up — like 10-year-old Brodie Smith from Taranaki, who asked his parents to donate to Meet the Need instead of buying him Christmas presents. His act of generosity inspired his older brother Ryan to do the same with part of his summer earnings.
Our Mission is More Urgent Than Ever
“One in five children in Aotearoa experience food insecurity,” says Board Chair Nick Fisher. “Meet the Need is about everyday Kiwis helping one another in the most tangible way — with quality food. Our focus now is to not just sustain our impact, but scale it.”
Partner Power
This year’s report also shines a light on the incredible contributions of our partners and supporters:
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Pack and Give Back events with Salvation Army and Delta Community Support
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Beef Up Your Summer campaign with Silver Fern Farms
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Dairy Women’s Network Long Lunches
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New partnerships with Fresh Pork NZ, Green Meadows Beef, and Hazlett
Each collaboration helped us go further — reaching more communities and getting more nutritious food into the hands of those who need it most.
Read the Full Report
Want to see the full picture and explore the stories behind the stats?
Download the 2025 Impact Report Here
Please share this with your networks to keep the momentum going.
