Raglan Food Co. launched their community fund as a way to give back to their community and the Chronicle caught up with Latesha from RFC to hear all about it.
When was the RFC Community fund set up and why is it an important initiative for RFC?
We launched the RFC Community Fund in 2021 as a way to give back to our amazing local community. We’d been supporting a number of groups over the years but didn’t have any formal structure or process around it, and wanted to open up our support wider to any group doing great mahi in the social or environmental space. Phenomenal local support one of the main reasons we’ve been able to grow this business from a garage side-hustle into a fully established factory, so we wanted to show our support in return for all the incredible initiatives going on in Whaingaroa Raglan.
Who is it intended for?
Anyone who is doing mahi that makes a positive difference to social or environmental outcomes for our local community. It could be an individual, or an established community group or charity.
Is there criteria ?
Yes – we outline the submission criteria on our website. Your project must align with two or more of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, must be based locally here in Whāingaroa Raglan (or in a small community close-by, such as Te Uku, Te Mata, Ruapuke, Waitetuna), and not involve meat, dairy, or any form of animal product. airy, or any form of animal product.
What are some examples of projects you have supported so far ?
– Fuel vouchers for Community Harvest to collect otherwise wasted fruit for the local school children to eat
– Tools & yoghurt for a WEC workshop to help locals build gardening boxes & bird feeders
– Bike racks for the Raglan Area School to encourage less car use
– Planting of up to 200 natives trees at the Paws Awhile animal sanctuary
– Sponsoring the build of a greenhouse for Waitetuna School
– Awareness campaign for Karioi Project about their Oi bird documentary
– Paying for the printing of the My Mental Health Toolbox booklet
There is only one week left to make a submission. What does the application process involve?
We’ve tried to keep it very simple and user-friendly, there’s only three questions to answer on our online submission form. It should take less than half an hour to complete.
Who should one get in touch with if they have questions about their project?
Send us an email: hello@raglanfoodco.com if you’re not sure whether or not your project would be a fit. We would be happy to chat with you about the criteria.
