Connecting a community through food is behind a new social supermarket that is now open in Otūmoetai.

Referral based, once fully operational, the social supermarket will provide access to food and connection into the local community.

'The two criteria are that people facing hardship are living within the Otūmoetai catchment area, and are referred by a local organisation or ‘Here to Help You',” says Linkt Community Trust founders John and Jackie Paine.

Foodstuffs North Island and Linkt Community Trust partnered to bring the social supermarket to the region.

John says the aim is to support and enable Otūmoetai shoppers so that one day, they won't need to rely on the social supermarket anymore.

'Our vision is to create a connected community here in Otūmoetai, and to connect people into the local community,” says John.

The Linkt Trust founders have spent the past 14 months surveying and collecting data from dozens of local community organisations throughout Otūmoetai and surrounding suburbs.

'We believe everyone has something to bring to the table, so that we all have the ability to get through the times of hardship together,” says Jackie.

'There's definitely a lot of deprivation evident within Otūmoetai. Local organisations know the need, and those experiencing hardships. We want to provide tools to support and help people thrive in this community,” says John.

John says while general references will come through ‘Here to Help You', specific referrals will come from organisations within the catchment area as they work with the local schools, marae, Plunket and medical practices.

Operating like a normal supermarket in every other way, families will receive a points allocation to shop with and will pay a fee to cover handling costs.

'We want to create a community where people contribute, as that builds mana and dignity.”

John and Jackie are excited about the partnership with the 100 per cent New Zealand owned and operated co-operative Foodstuffs North Island.

Foodstuffs is committed to backing locally led projects that make a difference, with this being the co-operative's fifth social supermarket location.

'We believe that strengthening and connecting the existing community support networks through the addition of a social supermarket will make for a place where our community has access to affordable, safe, nutritious kai,” says Jackie.

'We want to say a special thanks to the Foodstuffs community of stores and our buddy stores New World Brookfield and PAK'nSAVE Cameron Road for backing this.”

Enquiries can be made to: office@oss.org.nz