Tonnes of vegetables put on tables

TONNES OF VEGETABLES

PUT ON TABLES

Words by Glenys Christian

Growers from around Auckland and Northland got together to support those in need over the Covid-19 lockdown period. And their gifts in many cases are still keeping on giving.

For Pukekohe-based growers Hira Bhana, the call came from former All Black, Sir Michael Jones, now the chairperson of The Village Community Services Trust. “He rang up and asked ‘Bro, can we buy some vegetables?’ says Woodsy Bhana, one of four brothers and five of the younger generation of the family involved in the business. Their connection was well established through the company’s sponsorship of the Auckland Blues rugby team, dating back seven seasons. More recently they’ve sponsored the Auckland Mystics netball team. Last year alone he estimates they gave away 24 tonnes at the teams’ games, often with non-playing team members handing them out to the crowd.

So Woodsy was quick to say that there would be no charge for the top quality produce he would be able to supply to the trust. Its mission is to support marginalised individuals and groups by providing programmes and services which give them hope and a future by maximising their potential. It focuses particularly on Pasifika and Māori communities.

South Auckland growers a generous bunch – Woodsy Bhana (centre) with Eroni Clarke and Sir Michael Jones

“They had been giving out 200 food parcels a week but overnight that went up to 1,000,” he says. So the company quickly organised eight pallets of vegetables to be sent north to the trust’s Avondale base, including cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuce and potatoes. Then a further four pallets, this time of potatoes and onions. Put together with mince provided by a west Auckland Pak n’ Save store, there were filling meals ready and waiting to be prepared by grateful families. Other growers were involved as well. “Everyone realises what the world’s been through and we need to support each other. We’ll carry on and donate what we can. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. The south Auckland grower base is great – they’re a generous bunch.” Michael says the not-for-profit trust has been giving out food parcels for the last 10 years. “But the Covid-19 lockdown put a lot of pressure on and demand skyrocketed.” A lot of this came from what he termed the “new vulnerable” who had never had to tap into a food bank before, but now couldn’t make ends meet.

“I was thinking of great Kiwis who have a real heart for their community and I immediately contacted the Bhanas.

They were amazing, wonderful. These growers are really playing a massive part in helping the vulnerable. We are so appreciative of their kindness and aroha.” The parcels are delivered by the trust around Auckland, often to families referred to them by schools, social workers and sometimes the police. “Our mantra was to maximise the reach, optimise the gift and minimise the risk,” he explains. “We wanted to keep our volunteers safe and we didn’t want 200 people standing in line outside the food bank.” So discreet and respectful deliveries were made right to people’s homes. And he believes they will be needed for some time yet. “In crises the most vulnerable are hit first and it takes them the longest to get out. This will be with us for some years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” One pallet a week of kumara was also supplied to the trust by Dargaville’s Delta Produce Cooperative. It made a pledge at the start of the Covid-19 crisis to supply one tonne a week of kumara divided between three different charities; The Village Community Services Trust, Auckland City Mission and the Whangarei branch of the Salvation Army. General manager Lachie Wilson says the co-op has been supporting good causes for long time, including the local food bank, but stepped up donations as the lockdown took effect.

“People were doing it tough,” he says. Supplying fresh produce from all of the co-op’s growers was a good way to help out. “And it seems as though more will be needed in the upcoming months.”

200 1,000

THEY HAD BEEN GIVING OUT 200 FOOD PARCELS A WEEK, BUT OVERNIGHT THAT WENT UP TO 1,000

Another Auckland horticultural business that played its part was T&G Fresh, the local arm of T&G Global, which packed produce for Hira Bhana at no charge and helped get kumara from its depot in Auckland to its final destination. Managing director Andrew Keaney, says that as a leading grower of healthy New Zealand produce, T&G Fresh played a crucial role in helping feed New Zealanders during Covid-19, including donating to community groups, food rescues and charitable trusts. Donated produce included carrots, potatoes, kumara, onions, tomatoes, mandarins and 2,000 boxes of bananas.

“It was great to see our T&G team unite together to navigate the challenge and look after our fellow Kiwis.”

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