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Food-Recovery Bank Among Six 2025 Waste Levy Fund Recipients
The 2025 recipients of Stratford District Council’s (SDC) Waste Levy Fund have been announced, with each project set to launch new initiatives to reduce the district’s landfill waste.
A big winner this year is food recovery and redistribution service On the House, which will receive $11,000 to establish a food-rescue bank in Stratford; taking unused perishable food from supermarkets, growers, caterers, food producers, and cafes and giving it free to the community.
“On the House runs a popular food recovery service in New Plymouth, and we’re excited to see them come to Stratford,” says SDC Services Asset Manager John Cooper.
“Reducing the amount of food waste going to landfill while supporting people in our community with fresh food is a great service, and we’re pleased to be able to support them as they get started.”
“In addition to On the House, this year we’re able to support five outstanding, community-driven waste reduction ideas through the Waste Levy Fund,” says John. “We can’t wait to see these projects grow.”
2025 Waste Levy Fund Recipients
- On the House: Establishing a perishable food recovery service and food bank in Stratford, $11,000
- Sustainable Taranaki: Backyard trails and garden tours teaching sustainability education, $2,500
- Huiakama School: Composting system and workshop venue to reduce organic waste, $5,300
- Salvation Army: Dismantling and recycling e-waste tools through a men’s group, $574.76
- Enviroschools / Toimata Foundation: Frugal Bootcamps programme focused on food recovery, $869.56
- Sustainable Taranaki (Stratford Royal A&P Show): Recycling initiatives and volunteer training to reduce waste during the event, $3,748.50
The Waste Levy Fund was created using money allocated to SDC through the Government’s national waste disposal levy. The national levy raises funds for waste minimisation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The fund will reopen in 2026 for applications from community organisations, not-for-profits, and individuals. More information about the fund and the application criteria is available at Stratford.govt.nz/WasteLevyFund
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