‘Thoughtful koha’ for rural communities

FMG partnered with Hear4U and the Rural Support Trust to distribute more than 450 freezer meals to homes in this region as part of the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery relief effort. FMG rural manager Annabelle Gourlie is pictured delivering some of the meals in the Matawai area. Picture supplied

An initiative to get food on tables in the East Coast has wrapped up with more than 450 freezer meals finding their way to homes across Tairāwhiti and Wairoa.

FMG partnered with local community groups to deliver locally made, quality meals to the tables of those affected by successive bad weather events in 2023.

Rural propositions manager for FMG Karen Williams said the idea was borne out of a conversation asking what else the rural insurer could be doing for the East Coast.

“We were coming out of the dark winter months last year and we knew things would be getting busy on farm. Food was one thing we could all agree on that is a great pick-me-up when the chips are down.”

FMG partnered with local Farmlands stores to host chest freezers which were filled regularly by Gisborne caterer Black Fig.

“We then reached out to local community groups and representatives like Rural Support Trust and Hear4U and invited them to help themselves to the freezer meals to share with people in need. Some of our team on the ground also took meals out on client visits around the region.”

Wairoa facilitator for the Rural Support Trust Kylie Brown said the meals were much appreciated by people in that area.

“Being able to rock up to someone’s home and deliver a few delicious wholesome meals that they didn’t need to think about when times were tough took a huge weight off their shoulders.

“The feedback has been so positive, and I have been privileged to  see the appreciation in people’s faces”.

Hear4U general manager Krissy Mackintosh said the initiative had helped their clients and the wider community.

“It was thoughtful koha that symbolised empathy and respect, and ensured troops have been fed.

“As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, many marriages have endured really tough times, financially, mentally and physically. These meals have been instrumental throughout the healing journey of those who connected with #Hear4U”.

In the spirit of paying it forward, the freezers, originally donated by FMG to store the meals, would now be donated on.