The new Krishna Kai foot truck is offering a lot more than food \u2014 community connection is key.<\/p>\n
That is the message from local Hare Krishna community leader Jane Beecroft, who is leading the effort to bring nutritious, low-cost food to local people.<\/p>\n
Ms Beecroft, who stepped away from running the long-standing $3 lunches programme at the Otago University Students Association (OUSA) in 2022, missed the connection with customers.<\/p>\n
“It left a huge gap, so with the encouragement of wonderful friends and supporters, I decided it was time for a new adventure,” she said.<\/p>\n
The purpose-built Krishna Kai Catering food truck, bought in Christchurch and sign-written locally, started offering meals last week at the Hare Krishna Cultural Centre in London St and the T\u016bhura Otago Museum Reserve.<\/p>\n
“We are starting small as we get the ball rolling on this new service and work on training a new generation of cooks,” Ms Beecroft said.<\/p>\n
The focus of the Krishna Kai food truck is on ensuring no-one goes hungry and on caring about the wellbeing of people.<\/p>\n
“It is such a struggle for a lot of people at the moment, including students, so we want to help provide access to good quality, nutritious food,” she said.<\/p>\n
“This is a community project, not a business \u2014 it is about nurturing and caring and feeding.<\/p>\n
“Everything that we can do to help makes a difference in people\u2019s lives.”<\/p>\n
Ms Beecroft said the Krishna Kai food truck had been very positively received by its first customers last week, and was enjoying a lot of goodwill among the community.<\/p>\n
“Alongside the food, our focus is on caring for people and building relationships,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Any person who comes to us is important and considered whanau \u2014 so we honour that connection.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s all part of trying to create a nurturing community in a personal and loving way.”<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Krishna Kai food truck serves meals on Tuesdays and Thursday, from 4pm-7.30pm, at the Hare Krishna Cultural Centre, 133 London St (below Moana Pool); and on Wednesdays and Fridays, from noon-4pm, at the T\u016bhura Otago Museum Reserve.<\/p>\n
The $5 “Love Feast” includes samosas, fresh juices, smoothies, hot chips and more.<\/p>\n