Coronavirus: Trade Me launches fresh food boxes

Friday, 1 May 2020

Simon, and Debbie Lavery deliver groceries for those who can't get out in Mapua, Tasman during Level 4.

Sales of fresh groceries on Trade Me will help feed hungry Kiwi kids, the head of social enterprise Eat My Lunch says.

On Friday, Trade Me announced it was working with local suppliers to sell fresh grocery boxes including organic meat, fruit and vegetables and even baked goods.

Along with offerings from Eat My Lunch, boxes from Hyper Meat, Paddock to Pantry, Celebration Box, and Clarkes will be available.

Head of Trade Me marketplace Lisa Stewart said selling fresh food boxes was a first for the company and it was hoped more producers would be added.

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Lisa King, co-founder and chief executive of Eat My Lunch, says sales through Trade Me will help feed hungry Kiwi kids.

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“We are thrilled to be partnering with a number of great local producers to help Kiwis access fresh, quality produce all year round,' Stewart said.

“There are a variety of options to suit everyone. From quality fruit and vegetables, to organic meat, or even baked treats, our suppliers will make sure that these items get delivered safely to your door.”

Stewart said Trade Me wanted to help small businesses who had been hit hard by the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Connecting our customers with small businesses and helping Kiwis get the things they want or need is a priority for us as we move into lower alert levels.

'That’s why we have an offer available for any produce sellers who want to start selling with us to help these businesses get started.”

Demand for Eat My Lunch's 'buy one, give one' scheme plummeted as people began working from home at alert level 4.

Eat My Lunch co-founder and chief executive Lisa King said the business has been completely reshaped by the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown restrictions.

Demand for its 'buy one, give one' scheme, where customers buy a lunch and the company donates one to a school or community group in need, had fallen by 90 per cent as people began working from home at alert level 4.

'The big thing for us was keeping the business going and our 42 staff employed,' King said.

'We had to pivot pretty quickly into fresh food boxes to achieve that.'

The range of 'fresh essentials' boxes includes everything from dairy products to meat, fruit and vegetables, and bread and each box contributes meals to children in need.

How those meals were distributed had changed to ensure Eat My Lunch operated within the Government's coronavirus restrictions and met health and safety requirements, King said.

'We used to deliver to schools but with kids at home during lockdown, we're delivering directly to them.

'Before we went into level 4, we went to schools and asked if they wanted assistance during lockdown. We ended up with a list of more than 2500 kids and it's growing by the day.'

To meet the demand, Eat My Lunch has expanded its delivery fleet with hired vehicles and is 'an almost 20-hour a day operation, rather than 12,' King said.

'We're getting direct requests from a lot of families in need of food. It's heartbreaking but the need is growing every day,' she said.

'We’re really excited to be part of Trade Me's new offering. It’s another way that Kiwis can get fresh groceries delivered to their homes and also help give more lunches to kids in need as food insecurity becomes an even bigger issue.”