Red Hot Already! Mid Feb Update

The pace is accelerating here at Eat New Zealand, and we’re only two weeks into February. 2021 looks like an exciting year.

Next week we have an Eat New Zealand strategy day to help work out the pathway forward. Our survey will really help inform our priorities so if you haven’t already, please just take a couple of minutes to have your say.

As a not for profit organisation it's important to us to represent as many people in our food system as possible; from farmers to eaters and everyone in-between.

We’re making big plans for this year, including the Food Hui. "The Most Important Food Conversation in Aotearoa" will be held in Ōtautahi/ Christchurch this year. Our seventh consecutive annual event will be co-presented with The Restaurant Association, so put a place holder around the 27th & 28th September because you’re not going to want to miss out. It will be huge!

As you can see below there are some incredible people growing, writing, standing up for and re-imagining our food throughout the country, so let’s get on with it!

Mauri ora,

Angela Clifford CE Eat New Zealand

A final chance to have your say...

Gourmet Traveller Series: Land of Legends

NZ Grown Peanut Trial in Northland

The Ministry for Primary Industries, Pic's Peanut Butter and Plant and Food Research are working on an incredibly exciting project that involves trialling NZ grown peanuts in Northland, Aotearoa.

In the words of Pic Picot, the infamous Nelson-based Pic's Peanut Butter owner: “It has always felt a little weird to be making an iconic New Zealand product with imported ingredients.” The trials will take place on three farms across Northland, including Ruawai, Poutu Peninsula and another on Māori land in the Kai Iwi Lakes district.

Find out more about the trial on the MPI website or over on Stuff.co.nz.

Open Farms Day - Sunday 21st Feb

Back for another year, the nationwide Open Farms NZ initiative encourages New Zealanders to reconnect with our food, land and farmers. It's a unique opportunity for us all to learn more about life on the farm. For our farmers, it's the chance to open their gates and share what they do and why they do it. Sign up to be a farm host or to visit a farm over on the Open Farms website here.

Sign up to be part of Open Farms NZ

#EatNZGrains

A Practical Guide to Permaculture

Regional Food Events: Feb / March

Summer Feast Marlborough, On now throughout Marlborough until April 2nd A host of delicious food events taking place throughout the Marlborough region from Film + Feast events, Forest Sunday Sessions, Summer Vines and more...

Summer Vines Festival, Marlborough, Saturday 13th February A collaborative festival brought to you by a collection of Marlborough’s iconic wine producers including Jackson Estate Winery, Allan Scott, Cloudy Bay and FROMM with good friends Churton.

The Bay of Plenty Gincredible, Tauranga, 12th - 14th February A boutique celebration of food, entertainment and craft gin – distilled from a small number of artisan producers, gin masterclasses and local food.

Wellington Wine & Food Festival, Waitangi Park. Sat 13th February Local cuisines, wineries and breweries brought together with great music. Affordable food options provided by top local restaurants with a $12 limit.

Sunsetter Food, Wine and Music Festival, Takapuna, Sat 13th February Some of NZ's top wineries, breweries and eateries will dish up all the goods at Smales Farm in Takapuna, alongside an impressive selection of music.

Big Buzz Festival, Matakana, Sunday 14th February A festival to celebrate all things honey and bees from the plate, to the health shop, to the garden, to cosmetics, conservation and beyond.

Banks Peninsula Festival, Lyttelton, Saturday 20th February, Orton Bradley Park Nestled on the sun drenched side of Lyttelton Harbour, you'll find a vibrant showcase of music, food, beverage and culture from around the region.

Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival, Saturday 27th February, Lake Ruataniwha In it's 16th year, will host a day of tasting local salmon, plus beer and wine from a collection of the South Island's best craft breweries and boutique wineries.

Motueka Kai Fest, Sunday 28th February, Goodman Reserve A celebration of kai with a focus on connecting the Motueka community, building resilience and coming together to appreciate local water, soil, climate and people.

Gindulgence Gin Festival, Christchurch 27th-28th February New Zealand's original single-site gin festival and indulge in an afternoon of tastings, distiller talks, cocktails, great local food and live entertainment.

North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival, Sunday 7th March, Waipara Valley. The coolest little wine festival is back for 2021, with a host of delicious local wine, food, tunes, family fun, coffee and more.

The NZ Food Waste Summit, Manukau, Auckland. Monday 22nd March, This summit builds on the work of WasteMINZ’ Love Food Hate Waste Campaign and New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 Food Waste Reduction Map and will explore te whakakore i te moumou kai, mai i te whenua ki te tēpu – food waste prevention from paddock to plate.

Hop 'N' Vine Beer, Wine, Cider & Food Festival, 27th March, Southland Held at ILT stadium in Invercargill, locals and visitors are invited to experience craft beers, boutique wines and eclectic southern foods at this truly unique event.

If you have a food-centric event coming up, let us know: kate@eatnewzealand.nz

Dine on a Lime in Mount Maunganui

Food Hui 2021. 27th-28th Sept. Christchurch