The non-profit All Saints’ fruit and veges scheme is trying to get cheap fruit and veg to people in Dunedin.
The scheme puts everyone’s money together and buys produce in bulk from a wholesaler, making it cheaper for the individual. The price also stays low because the produce is packed and distributed by volunteers.
Offerings include a $3, $6 or $12 fruit-and-veg pack, which can be ordered online a week in advance and then collected Thursdays at a distribution centre, like the All Saints’ Church Hall on Cumberland Street. Organisers stress that anyone can sign up – you don’t have to be a churchgoer or believe in anything, except cheap food.
Helen is a student who has been buying the packs off-and-on for the last three years. “When money’s tight, you’ve always got this $3 bag of veg. It also means you get more variety, as the packs are different every week.”
The heart of the scheme is its volunteers, such as long-term student helper Chris. He’s enjoyed making up the prepaid bags at the packing hub on Thursday mornings. “It’s nice to do something productive before the day usually starts, without cutting into normal routine.” Floor manager Cynthia Greensill says she has really appreciated student volunteers over the three years since the scheme started.
Critic approached a second-year psycology student and asked her if she would consider using the fruit and vegetables scheme. “What’s a vegetable?” she replied.
For more info see http://fruitvege.allsaintsdn.org.nz/
If you’d like to volunteer, email fruitvegedn@gmail.com