We give high-quality surplus food a second shot at greatness, turning it into mouth-watering hearty meals at our restaurants. We rescue all sorts of goodies—think perfectly good meat and veggies that might be a bit wonky or close to their expiry date—from local businesses, supermarkets, and other food rescue legends. Keep an eye out for our electric vans zipping around the city, picking up fresh ingredients and helping us feed the community while saving food from going to waste. It’s a win-win!
Our talented chefs work their magic every day, crafting a new three-course menu from the rescued ingredients we collect—it’s like a daily MasterChef challenge! They’re joined in the kitchen by an amazing team of volunteers who give up their afternoons to chop, peel, and stir, while picking up cooking techniques and learning how to reduce waste. Together, they help create something truly special—and have a lot of fun in the process!
At 6pm, we open our doors and welcome guests from all walks of life to enjoy a freshly prepared hearty three-course meal. Our awesome volunteers are on hand, making sure the meals, water, and good vibes keep flowing. Whether you’re keen to pull up a chair at a shared table and meet some new faces or just catch up with your mates or whānau, there’s always a spot for you at our table. Come hungry, leave happy—it’s what we’re all about!
We reckon everyone should gather around a hearty meal, and we don’t think cost should ever get in the way of that! That’s why all our meals operate on a pay-what-you-can basis. If you can chip in $20-$30 for your meal, you’re getting a bargain and helping to pay-it-forward so someone going through a tough time right now can eat for free with dignity. It’s all about community and sharing what we have to create a healthier and happier Aotearoa for everyone.
To address food waste, food insecurity and social isolation in Aotearoa
Everybody Eats restaurants operating across the country, building stronger communities and having a measurable impact on our mission.
Whanaungatanga:
We are a place where everyone belongs.
Our connections and relationships are built on trust, aroha, and a shared vision as a collective, for collective well-being.
Manaakitanga:
We extend āwhina to others and unite to uplift our communities.
We strengthen communities we serve with care, empathy and respect, ensuring everyone feels valued and included.
Kaitiakitanga:
We care for people and our planet through thoughtful stewardship.
As part of a circular system, we transform surplus food into nourishment, connection, and sustainability, ensuring well-being for future generations.
2016
Everybody Eats started as a powerful idea in our founder, Nick Loosley’s, mind. Inspired by his experiences in hospitality and the immense need to address food waste and hunger, Nick envisioned a space where everyone, regardless of their means, could enjoy a nutritious meal.
2017
The first Everybody Eats pop-up launched at Gemmayze Street in St. Kevin’s Arcade on K' Road. The unique, pay-what-you-can social dining concept attracted supporters and diners from far and wide, setting the stage for a new approach to addressing food waste, food insecurity and social isolation.
The Restaurant Association recognised Everybody Eats’ positive impact with the Good Neighbour Award. This honour celebrated our community-led moel enabling people to support each other and connect through the restaurant platform.
2018
We took a major step forward by becoming an officially registered charity. This status strengthened our ability to connect with supporters, volunteers, and partners, creating a more sustainable foundation for our mission.
Our founder, Nick Loosley, was named Westfield Local Hero. The award highlighted his dedication to changing lives by using surplus food to create delicious meals, bringing people together, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Through a crowdfunding campaign, we raised a record-breaking $129,000. With overwhelming support from donors, the campaign allowed Everybody Eats to scale its operations, reach more people, and invest in future growth.
We opened a new site in Avondale, serving meals three nights a week. This new space provided a welcoming environment for everyone, and helped us increase our reach to West Auckland communities.
2019
Building on our success, we opened our flagship permanent full-time restaurant in Onehunga, offering meals five nights a week. A unique partnership model with Onehunga Neighbourhood Cafe and Thinkspace means this venue is in use 7 days a week providing core community services.
2020
We extended our reach to Wellington and Papamoa with additional pop-ups, spreading our mission to more communities across New Zealand and proving that our model could work at scale.
Serving its 20,000th meal was a meaningful milestone, demonstrating the power of Everybody Eats’ work in fighting food insecurity and fostering social connection. Each meal represented a small step toward building stronger, more resilient communities.
Our founder, Nick Loosely was named Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year. This prestigious recognition celebrated his tireless efforts to transform the dining experience into a force for good.
When COVID-19 hit, we had to adapt quickly by offering takeaway meals in place of its usual dine-in service. This pivot allowed the charity to safely continue its mission, supporting communities through an uncertain and challenging time.
2021
Serving its 50,000th meal, we marked another major achievement. With every meal, the charity continued to build relationships, raise awareness about food waste, and promote inclusivity in local communities.
Everybody Eats launched the Goodie Box and Goodie Bowl with media agency DDB, Al Brown, and Decent Packaging. Each takeaway Goodie Box includes a QR code for optional donations, encouraging Kiwis to take restaurant leftovers home and support our mission to reduce food waste and poverty.
2022
The expansion of our second permanent restaurant in Wellington was a big step forward. Operating four nights a weekly with an additional event night on Thursdays, it provides a welcoming and collaborative space for the Wellington community.
2023
We served our 100,000th meal, reaching a significant milestone in our journey. This achievement was a testament to our unwavering community support and the dedication of 1000s of amazing volunteers.
Opening a third permanent restaurant in Glen Innes, Auckland, we expanded our footprint once again. Glen Innes is serving meals five nights a week and our shared space, Tātou, is also home to Soulfood & Friends operating a day time cafe and weekend events.
Everybody Eats Wellington was honoured as the Supreme Winner at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards, a testament to the positive impact the charity has had on the local community.
2024
Reaching 200,000 meals served, Everybody Eats achieved an incredible milestone, doubling its impact across New Zealand in a year. This accomplishment reflects the charity’s unwavering commitment to tackling food waste, hunger, and social isolation through shared meals.
Everybody Eats Wellington named the winners of the Outstanding Sustainability Practices Award 2024 at the annual Welly Hospo Awards.
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