At Foodstuffs we have a long, proud history that dates back to 6 July 1922 when the first Foodstuffs co-operative was formed in Auckland. Foodstuffs founder J Heaton Barker called together members of the Auckland Master Grocers' Association to discuss plans for the formation of a co-operative buying group. This group expanded in 1925 with the introduction of Four Square branding on members' stores.
Similar co-operatives were set up in other parts of the country including Wellington (1922) and Christchurch (1928) and Otago/Southland (1948). Initially the buying groups traded under different names, but in 1935 the name Foodstuffs was adopted by all the original co-operatives.
Since then the organisation has continued to evolve. There have been mergers over the years between the smaller regional co-operatives that make up the three co-operatives that exist today - Foodstuffs (Auckland) Limited, Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Limited and Foodstuffs South Island Limited.
The evolution of Foodstuffs has included several key developments which have helped the organisation continue to grow. In 1963 the New World group was formed, and the PAK'nSAVE group began with the opening of the first store in Kaitaia in 1985.
Key moments in Foodstuffs' history:
Foodstuffs is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Muggleston as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Foodstuffs Auckland, and Martin Price as the new General Manager Property for Foodstuffs Wellington.
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