Low-Cost Food & Transport Map resource extended to support the Central Otago community

Wednesday 22 June 2022

WellSouth Primary Health Network has expanded their online Low-Cost Food & Transport Map resource to cover Central Otago.

Available on the WellSouth website  https://wellsouth.nz/community/health-promotion/low-cost-food-and-transport-map/ , these resources are a series of maps showing affordable (free or lower cost) food and transport options available for communities in the Southern region.

The existing maps, covering the wider Dunedin and Invercargill City areas, have been extended to now include the Queenstown Lakes-Central Otago area.

“With the significant price rises of many essentials increasing the cost of living, and the impacts of the continued disruption of the Covid-19 response, this expansion could not have come at a better time,” says Sarah Chisnall, Health Promotion Specialist, WellSouth.

“Accessing and affording food is becoming harder for many people in our Southern communities. There is a clear need for support in the Central Otago area where the Covid-19 response has hit both business and tourism sectors hard, directly impacting the livelihoods of many in the region.”

Each map shows basic details of available community services and initiatives under a range of categories, including the location, opening hours, and information about the service. Any additional details like eligibility criteria and contact details are included where possible.

“These community services help enable people to have better access to adequate and safe food for their health and wellbeing,” Sarah says. The maps are digital to ensure the information available remains current and reliable and provides primary care and social service providers a useful resource to use alongside the people they are supporting and caring for. 

“Positive feedback has come in from the community surrounding the maps, and it is great to know the resource is being utilised.”

The WellSouth team intend to create additional maps for other Southern locations, with work underway on developing maps for the Waitaki and wider Southland regions.

The team are committed to updating the maps regularly and welcome contact from the public or community groups with information about new or existing food and transportation options that could be added, as well as any updates for existing listings.

 You can reach us by email at health.promotion@wellsouth.org.nz or by phone at 03 477 1163.

 

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