Service station owner’s food assist initiative

Local businessman Avi Jayapuram wants to help more west Aucklanders afford essential food, which is why he is launching a new initiative called ‘Food on the Table’.

The owner of GAS Service Station on Lincoln Road, Avi (pictured) has said he feels compelled to help those who he often sees struggling to afford every-day items.

Launched this month, Food on the Table will provide basic food such as eggs, milk and bread from $0.99. It is designed to help west Aucklanders be able to afford basic food and still be able to afford fuel to get to work.

Avi said he was inspired to take action to help make food more affordable when he saw the fuel tax come into effect. “People were complaining about the petrol tax and saying they can’t afford basic needs. I thought, what can I do to help?”

It has taken Avi six months to create Food on the Table as he searched for good quality products at a price that he could then pass on to his customers.

To make the scheme work, Avi is offering Food on the Table prices to those who purchase $40 in fuel. “I know people still need to fuel their cars, so I want to try and help make their money go further. I don’t want people choosing between paying to get to work or to have food in the cupboard.”

The aim of Food on the Table is to help foster a better sense of community and look after local residents. “It would be nice if people can be fed and not go around feeling hungry” says Avi. “If the scheme is a success it may expand to offer more food and involve more businesses in the area to take part.”

Food on the Table is an initiative started by Avi Jayapuram of GAS Service Stations, Lincoln Road to help west Aucklanders be able to afford basic food and still be able to afford fuel to get to work. No profit is made on the sale of food and the aim is to expand the number of businesses involved to help better look after locals in the community.