FREE SHOPPERS: From left, Rowan Harty, 21, Jamie Yau, 20, Ben Kitchin, 20 at the Free Shop.

By Alice Petrie and Grace Ackland

Wellingtonians have embraced artist Kim Paton’s Free Shop and in the process have been educated and observed as they gather free supermarket goods.

Paton and her helpers set up the Free Shop to not only help the community out, but also educate people about recycling and redistributing unwanted items to those in need.

Supermarkets and individuals have given goods daily to the Free Shop.

Volunteer worker and student Leda Farrow, believes the “experiment” is interesting as it shows just how much waste products from supermarkets, bakeries and other food places is simply thrown away.

 “It’s sort of a critique on waste, and I think Kim is very interested in redistribution and how we can recycle things,” Leda says

“A lot of the things we get in here is stuff that supermarkets can’t sell because it’s been dented, but it’s all food that can be given away and usually it’s just chucked out.

“So we’re sort of trying to get a lot of supermarkets on board and trying to recycle,” she says. The experiment is not only set up as an art one but also as a ‘social critique’.

“This is a free store, anyone can come in so it’s for the rich or the poor.

“It’s interesting because people are sort of treating it more like a food bank or something for people less fortunate, whereas it’s meant to be an open thing for everyone, people who need it could be anyone.

“We’re trying not to be a food bank or a charity, it’s more a community space where anyone can come in,” she says.

Shopper and student Justine King, 42, says it’s amazing that there are no strings attached such as a charity box or donations.

“It highlights how much surplus food there is that gets thrown out,” she says.

A large number of the people coming into the store are students like Justine, who is studying and has an 18 month old baby.

“I’m actually on a really tight budget and I’m going to use all of the stuff I’ve got.”

A group of three male students make regular trips to the free store because they say it is close and free.

Jamie Yau, a student from Victoria University, says it’s his third visit and he recognises the idea behind the store.

“It’s free and really generous and also I think it’s making people think about all of these waste products,” he says.

His friend, Rowan Harty who studies at Victoria University also reaps the benefits and generosity of the free store.

“It brightens people’s days, they come in here and get something for free and think ‘oh yeah that’s awesome’ it makes people more happy throughout their day.”

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.