Starting a Packing Hub

Power the Co-op: Become a Packing Hub

Coordinate bulk produce, lead a volunteer team, and keep the wider network supplied. Coordinators generally spend around 4 hours per week on ordering and communications, plus approximately 4 hours on Pack Day leading volunteers.

The heart of the operation

Packing Hubs receive bulk deliveries, sort produce, and create the $15 fruit & veg bags that Distribution Hubs hand out. Without you, the system stops – with you, thousands get fresh, affordable kai each year.

Weekly rhythm

Friday 9 am – confirm total bag numbers with Hauora Kai.

Pack Day – bulk delivery arrives; volunteers sort and pack (≈2 hrs).

Hub pick-ups – Distribution teams collect their labelled orders.

Wrap-up – return crates, bank funds, celebrate a job well done.

Essentials checklist

Area

What’s required

What we provide

Space

Equipment

Finance

Volunteers

Flat-floor hall with pallet access.

Scales, trolleys, knives, tarps, crates.

Hub bank account & simple ledger.

6–12 people; physical and light-duty roles.

Site inspection & H&S signage.

Starter kit list & supplier discounts.

Training on cash-flow and GST.

What’s in it for your community?

Lower food costs – bags retail at $20–$25 value for just $15.

Skills & connection – volunteers gain food-handling experience and a sense of purpose.

Circular economy – No waste — everything is ordered in advance and packed to match confirmed totals. Cardboard recycled, surplus produce donated locally.

We’re with you at every step

  1. Induction workshop covering food safety, logistics, and volunteer management.

  2. Ongoing phone support and site visits.

  3. Access to Hauora Kai’s collective buying power and freight discounts.

Take the next step

Book an exploratory call or on-site visit.

Contact Cory Hope:

Email: chope@wesleyca.org.nz

Phone/text: 021 190 6165

Or Contact Us via the form below