Canterbury Farmer Urges Peers to Back Meet the Need
For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?
Over the past 12 months, the organisation delivered 1,277,241 mince and milk meals through a nationwide network of foodbanks, pushing the total number of meals distributed since its 2020 launch past 4.2 million.
The milestone lands at a critical moment. Recent figures show one in three New Zealand households experienced food insecurity in the past year, and 68% of those households say they only began struggling to afford enough food within the last 12 months.
A Shifting Face of Need
Zellara Holden, general manager of Meet the Need, says the charity is seeing a marked shift in who is turning up to foodbanks for help.
"These aren't just the families people might traditionally expect to need food support," Holden says. "They're working families, rural households and people who have never had to ask for help before."
Holden says the cost of living is the driving force behind this change.
"The cost of living continues to put enormous pressure, on household budgets, and nutritious protein is often one of the first things families stop buying. That's why the work we do has never been more important."
Connecting Farmers with Families
Meet the Need was founded with the aim to connect New Zealand food producers directly with families experiencing hardship.
The charity works alongside farmers, processors, transport companies, foodbanks, businesses and donors to get beef mince and milk to those who need it most.
Key results from the 2025/26 year
- 1,277,241 mince and milk meals delivered
- 148 foodbanks supported nationwide, up from 135 the previous year
- Over 4.2 million meals delivered since the charity launched in 2020
Demand Still Outpacing Supply
Despite the record year, Meet the Need says growth in impact hasn't kept pace with growth in need.
Foodbanks across the country report more first-time users, longer waitlists, and rising demand specifically for protein.
"The reality is that while we've increased our impact, the need has grown even faster," Holden says.
"Every meal delivered is only possible because of the generosity of New Zealand farmers, our corporate and community partners, volunteers and individual donors," she says. "This report is a celebration of what we've achieved together, but it's also a reminder that our work is far from over."
'The Challenge Isn't Supply, It's Connection'
Meet the Need chair Nick Fisher says the solution lies in collaboration across the agricultural sector.
"New Zealand grows enough food to feed everyone," Fisher says. "The challenge isn't supply, it's connection."
"Meet the Need exists to bridge that gap, ensuring quality New Zealand protein reaches families who otherwise couldn't afford it."
How to Help
Meet the Need is calling on more farmers, businesses and everyday New Zealanders to get involved - whether by donating livestock, milk or cash, or by partnering with the charity directly.
"Our mission is simple," Holden says. "Together, we can ensure more Kiwi families have access to nutritious protein during some of the hardest times in their lives."
"With demand continuing to grow, we need more people alongside us to make that happen," she concludes.
