A Tauranga real estate company is throwing its support behind the Tauranga foodbank in an effort to help feed more than 22,000 people.

Tauranga Community Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin says the foodbank is very grateful to be part of Tremains’ “Selling houses for food” campaign.

“In the past 12 months, we have assisted 7213 households, feeding more than 22,000 locals.”

Tremains is starting a three-month initiative they’re calling “Selling houses for food”.

Tremains staff promote the “Selling for Food” initiative along Cameron Rd outside their offices. Photo / Ayla Yeoman

For every house it sells in the Bay of Plenty during the next three months, Tremains will donate $500 to the food bank,

says Tremains’ director, head of sales Hayden Duncan.

Nicki says the initiative will have a direct positive impact on many in the community.

“These donations will be put towards purchasing the nutritious food that people need most, items such as eggs, fresh meat, vegetables, peanut butter, cereals and much more.

“Fresh food items such as meat and vegetables are what most people are really needing support with.

“Having an abundance of these foods available directly impacts the health and wellbeing of people using our service.

Food insecurity in the Bay of Plenty

“Food security in our community is at the forefront of Tauranga Community Foodbank’s mind.”

Nicki says that food insecurity in the community is seen in many ways.

“The price of food, especially healthy food, has become beyond the reach of many. Coupled with increased costs for housing, power, petrol, food becomes the thing in the budget that comes last.

“We also see it in our older members of the community, they are struggling to afford food and also experience challenges around getting out to shop and preparing food.

“We believe that there is an abundance of food in New Zealand. It is then up to us to make sure it is available to as many people as possible.”

The price of food, especially healthy food, has become beyond the reach of many. Photo / 123rf

Nicki says many charitable organisations are doing what they can in the community to help tackle this.

Tremains is trying to do what it can to help the community with food insecurity.

“Within our team we have a number of partners who are involved in local schools and the impact on young people is a problem,” says Hayden.

“We hear of kids turning up at school having had no breakfast and a bag of chips for lunch as it’s more affordable than proper healthy options.

“We see the news with the statistics of food insecurity trends heading in the wrong direction and it is one statistic that most of us find hard to comprehend in NZ, that people are struggling to afford access to healthy food regularly.”

Hayden says that housing affordability and supply has been in the headlines for a long time: “That’s not a quick or easy fix but people having a regular ability to eat is one that we can tackle and the only way to make a difference is to start, we are choosing to start here at home in the Bay”, he says.

“We are more than happy if other companies, real estate or otherwise in the Bay would like to join in the cause to make a difference and if they get in touch, we are happy to coordinate and share resources to make a bigger difference.”

Hayden says Tremains is a business based on social responsibility and community support. “We currently support over 50 not-for-profit and community groups throughout the Bay of Plenty.

“Like most New Zealanders we are aware that with the cost-of-living increases, the downturn in the economy and increasing unemployment that food insecurity is a growing problem in NZ. The BOP is not exempt from the impacts.

Tauranga Foodbank has a mini supermarket. Photo / Mead Norton

“It is our view that NZ has no excuses for food insecurity and is something that we can do something to assist with.

“As a team, there is no question that many of us through our day-to-day lives have come into contact with local people that need a hand up sometimes, currently it seems that the ones giving a hand up - the foodbanks - need a hand to help.

“We are a locally owned, community-based company that is built on a foundation of helping.

“We think, especially following the challenges of the last few years that people in the community here in the Bay of Plenty are keen to help, especially when it just comes down to making one choice over another.”

Why will they be donating $500

Hayden says there is no cost to the seller and no hooks or complex terms to meet.

“Just list your home with Tremains and when it sells, we pay the money to the recipient.

“The sum paid was determined by working out what is a sum that will make a true difference to the cause.

“Based on our expected results over the period the total sum contributed to the foodbanks in the region should be in excess of $60,000.”

What can you do if you’re not selling your home, but want to help?

“Foodbanks are in real need of financial support to meet the growing need.

“If people want contact information for their local foodbanks, they can contact their local Tremains office and we can put them in touch.”

Hayden explains that this is not just a marketing initiative but a true community initiative.

Tremains staff promote the “Selling for Food” initiative in Tauranga. Photo / John Borren

“We are out to change the conversation in households experiencing food insecurity from ‘is there dinner’ to ‘what’s for dinner’.”

If you don’t have a house to sell, any donations are welcome by the foodbank.

Nicki says that the donations made send kids to school with breakfast and lunch and provide evening meals for families feeling the pressure of rising rents and stretched incomes.

“The foodbank relies on your generosity to ensure families throughout Tauranga have something to put on the table.

“It doesn’t have to be a lot, everything is used and nothing goes to waste.

“You might have some fruit trees in your garden with an excess supply or perhaps more vegetables in your patch than your household can consume.”

To find out more about the initiative visit https://www.tremainsbop.co.nz/

- SunLive