Help our vulnerable families 'Eat a Rainbow'

By Gordon Brown

Michelle Hartley and Momo Martin had a brainwave when Covid-19 struck.

The two were partners in a small catering company with big ambitions. With the lockdown giving them only 48 hours notice, their business was all but put out of action – at least temporarily.

What to do with all of the meals that were ready for distribution? That’s when they had their brainwave - “let’s give them away!’’

There was method in their madness, as Momo explains.

“The food we’d already prepared (in their commercial kitchen at Waiwhakaiho) for our catering company Theory Food, and Eat a Rainbow had to be distributed.

“Michelle and I reflected on just how much people were going to be struggling during Covid, so we reached out to Michelle Ramage from Roderique Hope Charitable Trust – she knew where the meals should go - we gave them 126 meals.’’

Word quickly spread and people responded in the best of Taranaki traditions and began to donate money so it could grow. Michelle and Momo made the most of it and were distributing 776 meals. They had a goal, to get to 1000 meals.

As support poured in, with Toi Foundation offering support, they exceeded their target and got to 1126 meals.

Then the second brainwave occurred. Eat a Rainbow became The Eat a Rainbow Foundation - a charitable trust.

Eat a Rainbow operates with two main charities, Roderique Hope, and Gabby’s Starlit Hope, who identify who the meals should go to.

“We learned a lot about what people go through in their lives,’’ recalls Momo. “There were children still getting chemo treatment during level four, and no-one could fly during Covid. They had to be driven to Auckland without stops. The Foundation provided meals for the parents because none were provided, or even available to buy - everything was shut - just one example.

Now Covid is (hopefully) over, Theory Food donates 10% of total corporate catering revenue to Eat a Rainbow Foundation.

ABOUT THE EAT A RAINBOW FOUNDATION

It helps vulnerable families by producing and delivering a range of nourishing meals, packed full of nature’s rainbow foods.

Why?

Their ready-made food packages contain nature’s rainbow foods, full of nutrients. The term ‘Eat a Rainbow’ refers to eating a range of naturally colourful food, with fruits and vegetables. They help vulnerable families by producing pre-made meals, designed by professional chefs, in collaboration with nutritionists. Eat a Rainbow Foundation meals are packed with vegetables and quality meat cuts. They use environmentally conscious plant-based meal trays.

Fresh ingredients, locally sourced Fresh ingredients are sourced locally, with the ready-made meals being delivered frozen to partner charities in environmentally friendly packaging.

Who we help support

Meals are provided to vulnerable families, carers supporting tamariki undergoing cancer treatment, families requiring emergency housing or those admitted to children’s wards outside of meal hours.

Quality and variety

The types of meals provided range from Bangers and Mash, Beef Lasagne and Mac Cheese, to Beef Stroganoff, Vegetarian Lasagne and Cottage Pie –all packed with vegetables and quality meat cuts.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Eat a Rainbow Foundation relies on donations from the community in order to provide free food packages to vulnerable families. Go to their website www.earf.org.nz if you would like to donate!