The power of community - Hapori in action

Farm Source's Farm Relationship Advisor (FRA) Cameron Neale is a man who can galvanise a community into action. 

From facilitating donations and organising meals for school students, to wetland restoration planting days and promoting initiatives like Surfing for Farmers, Cameron and his team are often at the forefront of the activity.

Community groups throughout Canterbury have benefited from the Co-op's experience, knowledge and support, not to mention hours of voluntary labour.

Over the past year the Co-op's Darfield transport and powder teams have helped prepare hundreds of food boxes for families in need across rural Canterbury and care packages for elderly who live alone.

For the past two years the team has sponsored the Illuminate Light Festival's Inclusive Night.

"We send tickets out to a range of different organisations including Ronald McDonald House and IHC. We have teams volunteering on the night helping out and interacting with everyone, and have a tanker onsite on site that people can hop into and have a photo taken. It's a great night and our support has been really well received. The real highlight is seeing smiles on the faces of kids that you know are doing it pretty tough," says Cameron.

Earlier in the year Farm Source Canterbury donated $3,000 worth of supplies to the Cholmondeley Children's Centre in Lyttleton to help establish a garden. The centre offers short-term, planned, and emergency respite care for children aged 3 to 12 and support to their whanau. In August, Cameron and members of the Farm Source team spent a day at the centre helping the children establish a garden and orchard.

"Initially the kids were a bit shy about getting their hands dirty but it didn't take long until they were all in, digging up worms and planting. It was awesome to see. We've set up their gardens to give them some really good, consistent produce as well as setting up an orchard that, once it matures, should see the centre sorted in terms of fresh fruit being available for them."

While one Co-op team was working on the gardens, another team from the Darfield manufacturing site and distribution centre overhauled the Cholmondeley's rundown accommodation that houses international volunteers who work with the centre's children.

"Our team completely refurbished the house, repainting ceilings and walls, tidying up the gardens outside, and making the place look presentable and welcoming for the new batch of volunteers who are coming over to work with the kids," says Cameron. "It was a classic case of many hands make light work. The whole experience showcased how Farm Source and the Co-op can benefit the community beyond pure financial resources."