What began in the living room of the Tuitama family home, Seed2Harvest (S2H), has now evolved into a well-established community service provider in West Auckland. The registered charity quickly outgrew the Tuitama household. The acquisition of a community centre building in 2023, situated on the grounds of the Waitematā Rugby Club, has enabled S2H to expand its range of services.
Founder Janet Tuitama says that thanks to the centre, the organisation has been able to reach even more members of the community, with around 750 benefiting in the last eight months alone. A Fale-Kai is one of the much-needed services offered in partnership with local providers, including Fair Food and the Kindness Collective. This social supermarket is open by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. ‘Unlike pre-packed food parcels, social supermarkets allow shoppers to purchase items that fit their personal needs, using a points system at significantly reduced prices,’ explains Janet.
What’s more, since October, the Fale-Kai has made use of over 20,000 tonnes of food that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. There’s also the Kai Mara Community Garden, where locals can get their hands dirty growing organic produce for their whānau and the Fale-Kai. Don’t have green fingers? No problem, as S2H garden workshops give locals the skills and know-how to grow their own kai. In addition, the centre hosts various wellbeing programmes and connect groups for men, women and youth. These initiatives are not just about individual wellbeing, but also about fostering a sense of community and connection.
The packed programme of events and activities is hosted at the community centre. And funding of $12,240 from the Your West Support Fund has made a significant contribution to the centre’s ongoing operational and maintenance costs. New external awnings and signage have made the centre more visible and welcoming. And essential repairs to S2H’s delivery van have given it a new lease of life. The van is back on the road, picking up deliveries and transporting staff and equipment. S2H plays a crucial role in bringing the community together, fostering a sense of belonging and delivering much-needed wellbeing services. It also provides volunteer opportunities to vital organisations, such as Geneva Health and Two4Nine, which work with people with learning disabilities or life-limiting injuries.
Interested in finding out more? Visit the Seed2Harvest website or Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
