Auckland Council is offering grants of up to $6,000 each for projects that help Aucklanders reduce food waste.
Love Food Hate Waste grants are set to be awarded to individuals and organisations delivering food waste prevention initiatives. These could include anything from community workshops to teach meal planning and tips on using leftovers, to awareness-raising campaigns, events, digital content and more.
Individuals and organisations can apply for a grant from $500 to $6,000 per project. This year, the maximum grant value has increased from $5,000 to $6,000 in recognition of increased costs to deliver initiatives. The Council says priority will be given to projects that help engage new and diverse communities and promote practical, achievable ways to prevent avoidable food waste.
Fundraising and Programme Manager, Joanne Kyriazopoulos of Kaipātiki Project Ecohub, which received a grant in 2024 to run food waste minimisation workshops, says people are eager to learn how they can make food go further, save money and live more sustainably.
“Our workshops were well attended and people loved walking away with simple, practical tips they could use straight away. They discovered that making the most of food isn’t hard or time-consuming – and it can be tasty! These workshops wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the Love Food Hate Waste grant,” said Ms Kyriazopoulos.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions, Justine Haves says many communities already have practical skills for preventing food waste, and the grant helps empower them to share that knowledge more widely.
“The Love Food Hate Waste grants are designed to support practical, community led ideas that help Aucklanders enjoy more of the food they buy and grow. I strongly encourage individuals and organisations to apply. Every initiative, big or small, plays a part in preventing edible food from being wasted,” said Ms Haves.
Applications for the Love Food Hate Waste grants open on 9 February and close on 15 March, with successful applicants being notified in April.
Details are now live on the Council website.
