Tipping point?

As a keen (and slightly obsessive) observer of the New Zealand Food System, I have been asking myself if we’ve reached a tipping point over the last couple of weeks?

The number of media enquiries and work streams that are approaching us as an organisation would suggest there’s an amplification about food access and food security.

I suspect that will come as no surprise to most of you.

There’s something beautifully serendipitous that this is also NZ Farmers Market Week.

These are the most visible examples in many communities of thriving local food systems, the ones many of us interact with each week. They’re also a beacon of hope, a way forward that would see us all have access to nourishing, abundant kai that connects us to our environment and each other.

How do we incentivise these local food systems to ensure they keep us well fed in disruptive times. What else might we find when we’re gathered together in these places?

Let’s stay in that place of hopefulness.

Angela Clifford, CE Eat New Zealand.

@eat.newzealand

#KnowYourFarmer #KnowYourFisher #EatNZGrains #GrowFoodCommunities #EatNZKaitaki #RepurposeTheSurplus #LotOfLittle #Biodiversity

Read the Stuff article about NZ Farmers' Markets

National Farmers' Market Week

There are approximately 25 authentic farmers markets around New Zealand which make up over 1000+ small food businesses, with an estimated 50,000+ customers supporting them every week of the year.

You can find many of them on our website here - or use the search bar and enter: Farmers Markets. There's also a great article over on Stuff that rounds up the best Farmers' Markets across the country here.

Show me the list of Farmers' Markets across Aotearoa

Cooking up a Storm!

As you may have heard next Monday 20th March, Aotearoa's hospitality are joining forces to host New Zealand's largest dinner party - Cooking Up A Storm - Cyclone Relief Dinner. In support of those who have been impacted by the effects of cyclone Gabrielle, they are inviting us over to venues across Aotearoa to eat up and do good. It's organised by Al Brown and supported by the Restaurant Association.

Some of our #EatNZKaitaki involved include Lucas Parkinson (Ode) who is collaborating with chefs Ryan Henley, Karl Martin-Boulton and Michael Meredith for a Cyclone Gabrielle Fundraiser at Mr Morris. Tickets are available here.

Down in Murihiku, Hayz from Hayz at the Anchorage will be hosting an event as part of the nationwide celebration. So if you're in Bluff get yourself a seat at the table here.

There are heaps of other amazing venues and hospitality outlets taking place. Find the full offering here.

Baking up a Storm in the Waikato! The Soil Sister and the Horahora Memorial Hall are hosting a fundraiser to support cyclone-affected farmers. It will be a lively and fun event with a cake auction judged by NZ food legend Allyson Goftton, a quiz, raffles and a BBQ feast supplied by our #EatNZKaitaki, Brit from Tomtit Farms and Ella from Momona Farm. Funds raised will go to Rural Women NZ (Gisborne) and the Kõanga Institute (Wairoa). Get your tickets here.

I'm keen to find a seat for Cooking Up A Storm!

#EatNZKaitaki at Welly on a Plate

We're super excited to announce that the #EatNZKaitaki will be hitting Te Whanganui-a-tara in May, as part of the new look VISA Wellington on a Plate, set to take place from the 5th - the 21st May.

You can see a sneak peek of the event here but for now keep Thursday 11th May in your diaries. To be sure you don't want miss out, keep an eye on ticket release dates below.

Visa Pre-sale goes live at 12pm on Monday 20th March (early ticket release for Visa cardholders). General Release tickets are available from 12pm on Wednesday 23rd March. Check out the full programme here.