More than one million rapid antigen tests (RATs) have arrived in Foodstuffs distribution centres and are being distributed to New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores, more than 250 New Zealand businesses – and donated to a number of charities throughout New Zealand.
Customers will be able to purchase RATs at cost price. There are two varieties available, the Orient Gene Rapid COVID-19 Self Test 5-pack ($32.99 per pack) and the Ecotest COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Nasal Pen 2-pack ($19.99 per pack).
Additional to selling RATs in-store, Foodstuffs are providing them at cost to more than 250 New Zealand businesses, only recovering their supply chain and store operating costs, with no additional margin added.
Chris Quin, Managing Director at Foodstuffs New Zealand says, “It’s the right thing to do to use our end-to-end supply chain to help other businesses and the Government. We’ve had great support from our supplier partners throughout the pandemic and believe this will enable our industry to play its part in supporting New Zealand through peak Omicron.”
Jennifer Chappell, CEO, Nestlé New Zealand says, “It’s times like this that New Zealanders really pull together, and we’re grateful Foodstuffs are working with their supplier community in this way. Rapid Antigen Tests are an important part of the toolkit as we work to keep our teams safe, our factories running, and our food on shelves. This fast and cost-effective access to RAT tests is collaboration at its best.”
As a part of Foodstuffs’ commitment to be Here for NZ, with a social promise to support communities, the co-operatives are also donating RAT kits to several charity organisations. Recipient Wayne Howett, CEO at Ronald McDonald House, who provide accommodation and services to parents and families of children in Hospital throughout New Zealand says, “Rapid antigen tests are a critical tool used to keep young patients safe when they’re in a Hospital away from home. We’d been struggling to get our hands on RATs, and with hospitals being a high-risk environment, we’re so grateful to have received a donation of RATs from Foodstuffs North Island to help keep our families safe.”
Foodstuffs said in their latest release: “Foodstuffs is 100% locally owned and operated so our store owners know their communities and their customers and go the extra mile to meet their needs. We’re a small country and we’ve done well through this pandemic by working together and respecting each other, and we’ll need to continue to do that. Customers can help us by buying only what they need, continuing to be respectful to our teams and being a bit flexible if the first choice isn’t on the shelf during this next phase of the pandemic.”
