A lot of good kai grown and nurtured by local growers and farmers won’t make it to market. We believe that together we can create resilient local food systems. Where every grower, producer and food retailer has a partnership with local food rescue to connect kai with their community.

Since 2008, Kaibosh has been creating the systems that allow suppliers to share surplus with community and in 2024 we started visiting generous local growers in Horowhenua and Kāpiti to rescue crops that wouldn’t have a pathway to market.

Our team works in cooperation with farm businesses to rescue second harvest produce, taking it to our Kāpiti base to sort for quality with our trained volunteers. We sort, pack and distribute farm fresh produce safely and efficiently, distributing it to our 170+ community partners in the Greater Wellington Region.

Our network of community partners provide a diverse range of activities and social services to local communities – marae, community centres, rangatahi and youth programmes, after school clubs, cooking classes, emergency housing, rehabilitation support, food banks, soup kitchens, meals for elderly, whānau support for new parents and more!

Produce that’s a bit damaged or too ripe to be distributed goes to our Kaibosh Kitchens in Pito-one and Paraparaumu, where we turn bruised and squishy vegetables and fruit into a variety of soups, stocks, bulk cooking and meal bases for local communities.

In 2025, we supported the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance to release a new introductory guide to Second Harvest, including case studies from food rescue organisations working with generous orchards and farms across the motu. 

We’re building connections with more farms and growers, seeking out new funders and investors, and strengthening our connections with mana whenua, marae and community groups.

Bring your energy to Second Harvest and join us in the field as a volunteer!

Indivduals can apply to join our Second Harvest volunteer programme now. Working alongside and trained by a Kaibosh staff member, get involved in harvesting, pruning, or thinning of crops.

Activities vary by season and based on crops available and take place on working farms and orchards. All roles require good level of fitness and ability to lift up to 20kg.

We are developing group volunteering options for corporate teams, sports clubs and other groups to join us in 2027 in Kāpiti-Horowhenua region and Upper Hutt.