Woolworths is buzzing with excitement this spring, celebrating the return of sunshine and seasonal favourites by creating the world’s first supermarket for bees in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

These tiny creatures are the real heroes behind most of the fresh kai (food) in supermarkets, pollinating 70% of all crops eaten by humans. 

But bee populations are facing a sticky situation worldwide due to pesticides, climate change, and habitat destruction. That’s why Woolworths is raising the profile of the humble workers by giving bees their very own bee-stro.

Woolworths New Zealand General Manager of Fruit and Vegetables, Ryan McMullen, said they’re thrilled to shine a light on the role bees play in bringing us delicious, fresh produce.

“So much of the fresh fruits and veggies we look forward to every year would not exist without bees.”

“Spring favourites like strawberries and asparagus are back in season, thanks to the tireless work of these tiny pollinators.”

“We want to encourage Kiwis and their families to get outside this spring and become more aware of these amazing creatures and the challenges they face.”

Woolworths is partnering with experts Bees Up Top and Auckland’s Ambury Farm to create the bee-friendly supermarket during the term 3 school holidays from September 28 to October 6. Instead of food, the miniature aisles will be full of bees’ favourite blooms such as lavender, mānuka, and cosmos. 

Kiwis are encouraged to buzz on over to the supermarket for bees to take part in free, immersive, and educational activities.

Woolworths is also encouraging people to think about their own homes and how they could make their gardens welcoming to bees. 

Some bee-loved plants include harakeke, hebe, and mānuka. They also have a sweet spot for rosemary, camelia and borage.

Ngāi Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson saw first-hand the fruits of their continued support for IHC when members of IHC’s South Canterbury Kapa Haka rōpū performed at Kōkōmuka Lodge on Ngāi Tahu Farming’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.

PGW has sponsored IHC’s Calf & Rural Scheme since its inception and Ngāi Tahu Farming is a long-term calf donor. The IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has been raising money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural areas of New Zealand for 43 years.

The calf donations help IHC fund a number of community initiatives that make a big difference in people’s lives. Kapa Haka is just one of those initiatives, where people with intellectual disability can connect with their respective iwi and enjoy the excitement of being part of a performing group.

Ngāi Tahu Farming welcomed IHC’s South Canterbury Kapa Haka rōpū onto its farm, along with PGW chief executive Stephen Guerin.

“We have a long affiliation with Ngāi Tahu Farming and the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme is a crucial part of our responsibility the community,” Guerin said.

“This occasion was a wonderful way to weave together those threads and see the important impact of our support.”

Ngāi Tahu farming operations manager – dairy and assets Ben Jaunay said being a part of the IHC Calf & Rural scheme is a way for the business to express its manaakitanga values.

“Rearing calves for the scheme is a tangible way for us to give back to the community and directly support the IHC. On a personal level, it is incredibly rewarding mahi to be involved in.”

IHC national fundraising manager Greg Millar said they love having the opportunity to say thank you and to show Ngāi Tahu Farming and PGW along with thousands of dairy farmers around the country what a huge difference their support to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme makes in rural communities.

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural New Zealand, you can get involved with the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme. Whether you’re a farmer looking to pledge a calf or someone who wants to donate a virtual calf, your contribution will help fund community initiatives that create meaningful connections and positive change.

Disclaimer: This article discusses suicide.

Monday December 3, 2018. 

That was the day Jason Herrick decided to take his life. 

Months of heavy rain, the pressure of excessive regulation, negative sentiment towards farming, and an inability to share his feelings left him at breaking point.

“It had been building up for quite some time,” says Herrick, who’s now Southland Federated Farmers president.

“It started all the way back with the earthquakes in Canterbury, which were just devastating to live through as a family.

“I lost some good mates to suicide in that time, and then my wife had some serious health challenges, and I never really knew how to deal with any of it. 

“We moved to a sharemilking position in Southland and that’s when I got so overwhelmed by the barrage of new regulations.”

Herrick says constantly reading and hearing negative comments about farming was weighing heavily on him. 
“That public perception against farming – you see it in the news and on social media, farmers getting hammered all the time.

“I just broke because I couldn’t handle people perceiving me in that light.”
Herrick finally snapped on that wet, muddy day in December, driving to cliffs on the southern coast to end his life. 

“I honestly didn’t think there was a way out. I didn’t think there was a way forward. I was ready to end it.” 

Looking back, he’s incredibly grateful a local police officer found him after being alerted by Jason’s worried wife. 

“I don’t remember much from that day, but I know he used GPS tracking on my phone and managed to talk me down off the cliff.” 

Herrick was escorted to a mental health facility, which was the start of a long, hard road ahead.
“My parents did a beautiful job of bringing me up, but I was raised as a southern man, taught to harden up, not show emotions, not show any sign of weakness.

“I slowly had to learn how to talk about what was going on in my head.”

Herrick found a counsellor he connected with, learned strategies to cope with pressure, and gradually rediscovered his love of farming. 

“I identified some triggers for me really early on and started learning how to manage those. 

“For example, watching the news at 6pm every night was so negative and would send me down the wrong path in my head, so I stopped watching TV and haven’t watched it since.” 

He now spends a lot of time listening to motivational podcasts and talks to friends and family about how he’s feeling. 

A turning point was when he and some friends founded the mental health support group Ag Proud NZ, to help other farmers through tough times. 

“Putting myself out there to help other people has given me so many rewards.

“Every time somebody reaches out to me and every time somebody tells me I’ve helped them, it’s a win that makes me feel good.

“It’s hard to describe that feeling, but that’s definitely the reason I talk about my own experience.”

Six years later, Herrick’s mental health is in “A1 condition”, he says.
“Don’t get me wrong: I still have some tough days, but I now have tools to get through them.” 

He says he wants to help bring a shift in rural communities and farming families, making it more acceptable for people to share their mental health battles. 

“It’ll take a long time to change everything, but we need to bring generational change. 

“We need to show our young ones it’s okay to talk, it’s okay to show emotion, and it’s okay to reach out and ask for help.”

As the country marks Mental Health Awareness Week, Herrick has a message to any farmers in a similar place to where he was in 2018. 

“Reach out to somebody, and if you don’t have anyone you think you can trust, dial 1737. There are plenty of people on that phone number who will help you.

“Rural Support Trust is also an absolutely phenomenal organisation. They’ve got access to so many resources.

“And, if all else fails, reach out to me. I’ll have no problem talking to people and I’ll point them in the right direction.

“You’re not the only one in this situation, and that’s sometimes the hardest thing to get over is recognising you’re not the only one.”

Hear Herrick’s story on the Federated Farmers Podcast as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.

Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:

Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757

Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Need To Talk? Call or text 1737

Samaritans: 0800 726 666

Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234

In Focus Podcast | Sheep outlook: the future of our flock

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis. Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again.

Nominations have opened to fill two vacancies on the Alliance Group board.

Jason Miller is retiring by rotation and will not be standing for re-election. There is one other vacancy following the retirement of Murray Taggart.

Chair Mark Wynne thanked Miller for his service to the board.

“Jason was elected as a supplier representative in 2015.  He was also a director on the Alliance board from 2007-2013.

“He has made a valuable contribution to the board, consistently demonstrating a deep understanding of Alliance’s values and the needs of our farmers. His experience and strategic insight have been valuable during both stable and challenging times for the company.”

Alliance is seeking directors who can demonstrate strong alignment to Alliance’s long-term vision, Wynne said.

“We are looking for individuals with a deep connection to the meat industry or agribusiness sector, excellent judgment, and strategic reasoning.

“The ideal candidates will have governance experience, or show potential in this area, along with proven problem-solving skills, commercial acumen, and an ability to think strategically for the future.

“Equally important are strong communication skills, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and the ability to connect with our customers, stakeholders, and communities, including regulatory bodies and iwi.”

Nominations must be received by the returning officer by Monday, October 7 at 3pm. The election result will be announced at Alliance Group’s annual meeting of shareholders in Gore on December 18.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association has added a Whanganui Branch to its nationwide network of clubs. 

The addition of its 49th branch marks a continued expansion of the NZDA’s reach throughout New Zealand and allows the organisation to support and grow recreational hunting in the Whanganui region.

 “We are delighted to welcome the Whanganui Deerstalkers and its members to our family of recreational hunters and shooters,” said NZDA national president Callum Sheridan. 

“Their passion for hunting, shooting and the outdoors aligns perfectly with the NZDA’s mission.

“We look forward to working together to promote ethical hunting practices and protect New Zealand’s unique hunting traditions and heritage.”

Whanganui club president Ian Churchouse said members were excited to be part of NZDA.

“We are eager to contribute to the association’s work for local Whanganui hunters and benefit from the support and resources that being part of a national body provides.”

Story written and photographed by Melissa Banks for Shepherdess magazine.

Compiled into an exhibit that debuted at the Nelson Provincial Museum titled Te Ara o Hine Rēhia, Melissa Banks’ black-and-white documentary-style photographs draw you into the world of kapa haka, unveiling the emotion and spirit that goes into each of the performance’s artistic threads.

WAIATA TIRA. The waiata tira is a non-compulsory discipline of performance, the points for which don’t count towards the overall score. Often performed with a conductor in front, the harmonious tira serves to warm up performers’ vocal chords, settle the nerves and focus the attention of the audience on the new kapa to the stage.

Kapa haka is role-modelling at its best: mātua showing their tamariki that their culture is beautiful, powerful and important; tamariki showing their mātua that their years of effort for language and cultural revitalisation are worth it; kaumātua showing their mokopuna that their legacy is one that has been handed down through generations; mokopuna showing their kaumātua that despite the experience of colonisation, their language and their culture will not perish.

Te Ara o Hine Rēhia takes you on a journey through the different items of a bracket that make up a kapa haka performance, featuring performers from Tamariki Toa of Nelson Central School, Te Pītau Whakarei of Nelson Intermediate School, Pūaha Te Tai of Nayland College and the adult group Kura Tai Waka, representing Kurahaupō Waka.

My whānau are my favourite photography subjects, so a lot of my photography has naturally followed them, as we support the multiple kaupapa that they are involved in.

The process of bringing up our tamariki in te ao Māori has meant we seek out kaupapa and other whānau with similar values and aspirations to ours. Kapa haka has played an important role in our journey and the beautiful whānau we have met along the way have helped to support us.

A key goal of the exhibition was to demonstrate the immense amount of work that goes into preparing for a kapa haka performance. The fantastic response to Te Ara o Hine Rēhia shows that it tells a story that is interesting and important.

WHAKAEKE. The whakaeke is where the kapa announces its arrival. It shares similarities with the pōwhiri process, often containing karanga and haka and utilising whakapapa to connect visitor and host. An item of contrasts and energy, it can also be used to pass social comment on a topical issue of the day.

MŌTEATEA. Mōteatea provide a connection to the past, traditional songs chanted without choreography or harmony. Unscripted actions, facial expressions and changes in rhythm are the performers’ tools to convey meaning to the audience. Mōteatea pass history and mātauranga orally through the generations.

WAIATA-Ā-RINGA. Waiata-ā-ringa are one of the more contemporary aspects of modern day kapa haka, introduced in the early 1900s. The wiri is represented heavily in waiata-ā-ringa. The wiri originates from Tānerore and Hine ā Rohe, the children of Tama-nui-te-rā and Hineraumati. We attribute the creation of haka to Tānerore who can be seen dancing on the horizon on a hot day. In the waiata-ā-ringa, hand actions accompany melodic tunes and creatively crafted lyrics to convey a message to the people.

POI. Poi were traditionally made of natural fibres like raupō and harakeke leaves. They were used to strengthen warrior’s wrists and keep them supple for battle, develop hand-eye coordination, and keep time on long waka voyages. In kapa haka, the poi discipline is firmly the domain of wāhine. Sweet smiles and graceful movements belie the complexity and intricacy of the poi sequence. The perfectly synchronised strikes of the poi provides a percussional beat to the rhythm of the waiata.

HAKA. The haka is the item where the males take centre stage, with the fierce support of the women behind, and are given an opportunity to showcase their ferocity and strength. As a natural provocation, the haka is often used to challenge or provide social commentary on topical issues. Good pronunciation and synchronisation of actions is important to ensure that the underlying themes and message of the haka are understood by the audience and judges alike.

WHAKAWĀTEA. The whakawātea is the natural complement of the whakaeke. Both are often highly choreographed and full of contrasting energies. This is the group’s last chance to leave an impression. As the whakaeke contains elements of the pōwhiri, the whakawātea can contain elements of the poroporoaki process of farewell. The hosts are often thanked for their hospitality and whakapapa connections are re-emphasised before departing the stage.

More: Māori Language Week 2024 runs from 14 – 21 September and this year’s theme is ‘Ake ake ake – A Forever Language.’ The 2024 theme represents the resilience, adaptability and endurance of te reo Māori, and reflects the commitment to embracing and learning the language long into the future.

Glossary
Harakeke, flax. Hineraumati, the summer maiden. Ihi, essential force, thrill. Kapa, team, group, company of people. Kapa haka, Māori performing group. Karanga, formal ceremonial call. Kaumātua, elders. Kaupapa, topic, project. Māmā, mother. Mātauranga, knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Mātua, parents. Mokopuna, grandchildren. Mōteatea, traditional lament, sung poetry. Poi, (traditionally used for wrist strength training) a light ball on a string of varying length, swung or twirled rhythmically to sung accompaniment. Poroporoaki, farewell speech. Pōwhiri, welcoming ceremony. Pūkana, dilating the eyes. Raupō, bulrush. Tama-nui-te-rā, the sun god. Tamariki, children. Tā moko, traditional tattoo. Te ao Māori, the Māori world. Te Ara o Hine Rēhia, “A Journey into the World of Kapa Haka.” Tira, choir. Wāhine, women. Waiata, song. Waka, canoe. Wana, excitement, thrill, exhilaration. Wehi, the response of awe in response to ihi. Whakaeke, entrance. Whakapapa, genealogy. Whakawātea, exit. Wiri, trembling hands.

Story written and photographed by Melissa Banks for Shepherdess magazine. Shepherdess magazine was started around a kitchen table on a dairy and beef farm in the Horowhenua. We continue to come to you from this kitchen table, and from many other farms, home offices and lounges across provincial Aotearoa. The magazine is here to connect, empower and inspire women across rural New Zealand, by offering a place to tell stories of our rural communities. Find out more about Shepherdess here shepherdess.co.nz

Hoiho will undoubtedly sing all year long after being crowned Te Manu Rongonui o Te Tau Bird of the Year for the second time.

The hoiho, a yellow-eyed penguin, secured a decisive victory with 6328 votes. It previously won in 2019.

Thought to be the world’s rarest penguin species, hoiho is unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. Small populations are dotted along the east coast of Te Waipounamu the South Island, while more live on Rakiura Stewart Island and the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands.

The dapper flapper, whose te reo Māori name hoiho means “noise shouter”, is notoriously shy despite its loud, shrill call.

It wasn’t just flipper-power and a sharp beak that aided the hoiho in its quest for the title of 2024 Bird of the Year.

A tenacious campaign propelled the penguin into first place, spearheaded by Ōtepoti Dunedin locals.

Campaign manager Charlie Buchan, marketing manager at Tūhura Otago Museum and Wild Dunedin, assembled a “dream team” of supporters including local wildlife and environmental organisations, the Highlanders rugby team, and Emerson’s Brewery, who crafted a special pale ale in honour of the “people’s penguin”.

“This is not just a win for the hoiho, but for the entire Dunedin community and the organisations working so hard to protect them,” Buchan said.

The species is classed as ‘Nationally endangered’.

“We worked really hard on this campaign for our awesome hoiho friends. We’re happy to fight for them and help them win.”

The hoiho also attracted big-name endorsements, including from legendary conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, former Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

“Huge congrats to team hoiho, whose awesome efforts and energy have championed a deserving winner,” Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki said.

“In a competition that was any bird’s to win, they showed up with the goods to capture hearts and minds across Aotearoa.”

Hoiho joins the kākāpō as the only manu to have taken out the world’s favourite avian election twice. The kākāpō won in 2008 and 2020.

Hoiho surged into first place in the second week of the competition, after initially trailing the karure Chatham Island black robin.

The teeny goth robin, backed by a campaign team from Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA), ultimately kept the ever-popular kākāpō at bay, securing second place.

A total of 52,477 verified votes were cast by bird lovers from across Aotearoa and around the world.

Top 10 (votes)
–Hoiho yellow-eyed penguin (6328)
– Karure Chatham Island black robin (5442)
– Kākāpō (4548)
– Ruru morepork (4467)
– Kea (4206)
– Pīwakawaka fantail (4205)
– Takahē (3892)
– Tawaki piki toka eastern rockhopper penguin (3834)
– Kōkako (3445)
– Toroa Antipodean albatross (3415)

As we mark 125 years since the establishment of New Zealand’s most influential rural advocacy organisation, it’s timely to reflect on the journey that has shaped Federated Farmers into the organisation it is today. 

The founding era: the birth of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union

The story begins in Kaitaia on 18 September 1899 with the formation of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (NZFU) by Thomas Portland Smith, an early pioneer of the dairy industry who had settled on raw land in the Far North. 

By the late 19th century, our budding agricultural sector was facing increasing headwinds, with market fluctuations, land management issues, and the emerging challenge of navigating complex government policies. 

Smith, a forward-thinking farmer and rural advocate, quickly recognised the need for a single unified voice to strengthen farmers’ position to create leverage when engaging with the government. 

The NZFU provided a platform for farmers to come together, discuss common issues, and negotiate collectively for better pricing and fair land management rules. 

Founding members understood that a strong, organised group could better negotiate with suppliers, government officials, and other stakeholders. 

The union quickly gained traction, particularly in the North Island, offering services and becoming a powerful advocate for farming families. 

The organisation’s first national conference was held in 1902.

A South Island collective: the Sheep Owners’ Federation

Only a decade later, in 1910, similar manoeuvring was happening in Canterbury with the formation of the New Zealand Sheepowners Federation by Henry Acland, of Mt Peel Station.

During this era, Canterbury, with its expansive pastoral lands, was a major hub for sheep farming – the cornerstone of the New Zealand economy at the time. 

Like Smith, Acland recognised the need for a unified voice to promote the interests of sheep owners and address issues like fluctuating wool prices, disease outbreaks, and the need for improved farming practices and infrastructure.

Early members banded together to share knowledge and leverage their collective influence to negotiate better terms for wool and mutton, and to secure more favourable conditions for their operations.

Acland served as president of the Sheepowners Federation until his death in 1942. 

Merger and birth of Federated Farmers: 1945

In the aftermath of World War 2, a significant milestone was reached as the New Zealand Farmers Union and the Sheepowners Federation merged into one organisation: Federated Farmers. 

Although controversial at the time, the merger was driven by a desire, and need, to form a more united and influential agricultural body that could effectively address the needs of all farmers, not just one sector. 

Federated Farmers’ formation marked the beginning of a new era for farming advocacy in New Zealand. The organisation emerged as a stronger, more cohesive body with a broader mandate to represent all farmers.

In the decades after the merger, Federated Farmers continued to grow and adapt to the changing agricultural landscape, with developing technologies, shifting market dynamics, and evolving government policies. 

A proud legacy: celebrating 125 years of farmer advocacy

The journey of Federated Farmers, beginning with the vision of both Thomas Portland Smith and Henry Acland, is a testament to the enduring importance of organised farmer advocacy in New Zealand. 

The merger of the two organisations led to the formation of a powerful and inclusive cross-sector body that remains committed to advancing the interests of farmers, supporting rural communities, and contributing to the growth of our agricultural sector to this day. 

We’re incredibly proud of our 125-year legacy of advocating for farmers – and we’re looking forward to the next 125 years too.

Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.

Rural Women New Zealand is calling for more mental health support for rural communities, following an impassioned plea in Parliament by ACT MP Mark Cameron.

“We want to offer our heartfelt support to Mark Cameron for having the courage to stand in Parliament’s debating chamber and share his whanau’s grief after recently losing his son to suicide,” Rural Women New Zealand chair Sandra Matthews said.

“The more we acknowledge and talk about these issues the better, as we know our rural communities are doing it really tough.”

Cameron’s son Brody died in May in a suspected suicide that he confirmed. 

Speaking during a general debate on September 11, Cameron described the impact his son’s death has had on him.

“Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day; hard for some, bloody hard for me. I buried my boy and he is gone,” he said. 

“I am a father to a lost son, a parent to a lost child, but I turn up every day in this House because I believe in rural New Zealand,” he said. 

Cameron described his son as “a contractor, a farmer, an everyday good Kiwi bloke”.

“I might be able to help rural people preserve their way of life. There’s a novel idea, and I don’t just mean in passing, giving them a passing ear; actually listen to these people. Politicians need to stop and actually listen to rural folk.”

Cameron said the “scourge of suicide” took his son and it must not take any more children. He urged his fellow MPs to think of the people affected when laws are made in Parliament.

Matthews said there is a wide range of issues at play in rural communities at the moment ranging from communities experiencing significant job losses from the closure or scaling back of major local employers, to public sector job losses in the regions.

“We also have communities grappling with the ongoing impacts and slow journey to recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle and the North Island extreme weather events; various communities facing ongoing drought; as well as farmers affected by low market prices at the same time as rising input and living costs.”

She welcomed the government’s continuation of rollout mental health support to primary and intermediate students in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti and the recent announcements to increase support for drought-affected communities and increase funding for Rural Support Trusts.

“Rural communities rely on volunteers and we know people are overwhelmed and at the risk of burnout from the plethora of issues they are having to face.

“With Mental Health Awareness Week just around the corner, we urge the government to continue to invest in providing increased resources and access to rural mental health services, including counselling and medical assessments.”

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:

Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757

Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Need To Talk? Call or text 1737

Samaritans: 0800 726 666

Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234

Patoa Farms in North Canterbury has joined farmer-led charity Meat the Need, donating one pig a week to supply pork mince to the region’s food banks and community organisations.  

Patoa Farms wholesale and procurement manager Jelle Edzes said the free-farmed family business is honoured to be able to donate.  

“Often it is more of a blessing to be able to give than to receive a gift, and in this case we feel that way. It causes us to reflect on everything we have and be thankful,” Edzes said.  

“One of Patoa’s core values is to be a blessing to its people and local community. Meat the Need fits the criteria for caring for those in need in our community and we were keen to see pork distributed alongside the other proteins Meat the Need makes available.” 

Edzes said nutrition is vitally important and meat protein is essential to nutritional needs.

“By providing easy-to-prepare pork to food banks via Meat the Need, we know we can alleviate the pressures on those in our local community who need help. By providing a consistent supply of pork, we can help food banks do what they do best, and through that we can all work together to help our community thrive.” 

Meat the Need and Feed Out general manager Zellara Holden expressed her excitement and gratitude for the new partnership, and the immediate effect it’s had on nourishing those who need it most with the introduction of five new food banks.  

Meat the Need and Feed Out facilitate donations of meat and milk to supply to over 110 food banks and community organisations across the country with support from processors Silver Fern Farms, Miraka and Fonterra.