Grow it Local

The Eastern Bay of Plenty has great food growing conditions and abundant natural resources, so much so that no one should be going hungry, but they are. 

This organisation seeks to bring together all parts of the local food system to create an holistic approach to kai security. Including education about healthy and seasonal eating, growing/hunting/gathering/preparing your own food, redistribution of food waste (particularly produce from uneconomic orchards or items rejected from export), connecting resources through creating a strong network of existing entities, supporting existing entities/programmes, promoting local food, and centralised support for funding and logistics.  

Currently the organisation consists of the project coordinator and a steering committee of 6 locals from across the food system who all have a passion for kai security. They include members from local iwi, community garden trusts, food banks and other organisations with skills in the social sector, government organisations, education, research, environmental science, and organisational management. Support from aligned organisations has been immense with interest from government departments, local councils, funders, social sector organisations and more.