Founded in 2011 in Palmerston North, Just Zilch is New Zealand's longest-running free store.
The principle is simple: anyone who comes through the door is welcome to take what they need, no questions asked.
Each day, the team rescues around 2,000 kg of surplus food from supermarkets, producers and local businesses. Some goes directly to the people who walk into the store, the rest to more than 80 community groups across Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū–Whanganui region. All told, the operation supports around 450 individuals daily.
$33,285 from the Community Decarbonisation Fund is helping Just Zilch install a 23.6 kW solar energy system at its Featherston Street site. Running the chillers, fridges and electric delivery van takes more than 59,000 kWh a year, and the solar system covers that load. That adds up to more than $6,300 in savings in its first year and over $200,000 across 25 years, all of which flows back into keeping the food rescue work running.
