Funds will be used to hire a part-time manager for Roimata Food Commons at Radley Park, which has promoted healthy eating by providing free fruit and vegetables to the public since 2017.
However, the entire amount will need to be raised before November 25 in order for donations to be confirmed, as the campaign is “all or nothing.”
Founder and volunteer project manager Michael Reynolds said employing a full-time Kaitiaki or vision holder to work with the board of Roimata Commons Trust, will help the initiative flourish.
The trust has relied entirely on volunteers who have contributed their time to establishing a thriving food system, growing biodiversity and running events on more than 2.6ha of land alongside the Heathcote River.
Once fully grown, the park will offer more than 90 heritage fruit trees, as well as nut trees and vegetable plants, which Mr Reynolds said is becoming a “food forest.”
Work has also begun on a new, separate community garden, which will cover 400 sq m of land.
Said Mr Reynolds: “When you look at our local area we really only have large supermarkets as places where people can access fresh produce. I find there is usually a lot of imported stuff so the amount of nutrition people are getting is usually quite low.
“Our lower socio-economic areas also need ways of being able to reduce some of its costs.”
He said the project is also beneficial to other communities as they are allowed to take free food and can also learn from the Roimata Food Commons to develop similar strategies in their areas.
Mr Reynolds said the Kaitiaki would manage garden operation tasks, planning, engagement, and decisions and perform physical work in the garden, as well as a range of administrative tasks including event management and social media.
The park is currently a hub for many community events, including cinema nights, seedling swaps and education workshops and is looking to expand.
One of the major roles the Kaitiaki will have is to try and develop financial sustainability for the commons by building relationships with businesses.
Mr Reynolds said this is because the trust would like to move away from relying on public sector funding like community board grants.
•To make a pledge to the crowdfunding campaign, visit www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/6311-kaitiaki-roimata-food-commons
