Growing Together: Corporate Volunteering with Rabobank

At Garden to Table, we know that when communities come together, everyone thrives. That’s why we’re so proud to partner with Rabobank, a food and agribusiness banking specialist that shares our passion for sustainable kai production, hauora (health), and agri-education.

As part of partnering with Garden to Table, Rabobank staff have recently been getting stuck in as volunteers in Garden to Table schools. Corporate volunteering builds strong community connections while giving employees a rewarding, hands-on way to contribute to children's learning and wellbeing. It also fosters team morale, purpose, and greater awareness of local issues—creating lasting impact for both volunteers and the schools they support.

Volunteers from Rabobank with tamariki from Brooklyn School

Rabobank staff have been bringing their energy and expertise into the māra (garden) and kīhini (kitchen) at Brooklyn School in Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Wellington. In Term 4 last year, 10 Rabobank staff members volunteered with the Garden to Table programme, working alongside tamariki in hands-on sessions that taught them how to grow, cook, and share food. The enthusiasm was so infectious that Brooklyn School invited them back for Term 2 this year, with a mix of returning volunteers and new faces keen to pitch in.

“I put my hand up to volunteer last year as I was keen to learn a bit more about the programme,” shared Dave Johnston from Rabobank. “I really enjoyed it and was happy to help out again this year when the school reached out to us for assistance. It’s a fantastic programme that’s giving the kids hugely valuable new skills on how to grow and prepare food—and some of the food we whipped up was pretty tasty too!”

The impact of volunteering didn’t stop at the school gates. Inspired by his Garden to Table experience, Dave added, “Off the back of volunteering, I bought a planter box to use at home late last year. It’s been great experimenting with growing different fruits and veges with my own kids over recent months.”

Volunteers and tamariki working together in the kitchen

For many Rabobank staff, volunteering with Garden to Table is not only about giving back—it’s also about reconnecting with a shared love of food, learning, and community. Matt Arand reflected, “Garden to Table is an awesome programme that gives kids the chance to grow, cook, and share healthy and tasty food with their peers. I first volunteered with Garden to Table at Carisbrook School in Dunedin when I was at uni, so it was super rewarding to join in the programme again at Brooklyn School alongside some of my workmates at Rabobank!”

Kai ready for sharing

Corporate volunteering with Garden to Table is a win, win, win. It strengthens the bond between our organisation and our communities, it supports our schools who need and appreciate regular volunteers to help in their weekly sessions, while also giving volunteers a chance to learn new skills, connect with tamariki, and experience the simple joy of growing and sharing kai.

We’re so grateful for the support and enthusiasm Rabobank has brought to Garden to Table, and we look forward to many more seasons of learning, growth, and connection together.

If you are interested in volunteering whether you are a corporate team or an individual you can find more information here -https://gardentotable.org.nz/volunteer