Ōtepoti Food Futures Hui - Summary
On Saturday, November 16th, approximately 40 individuals involved or interested in food resilience gathered for the Food Futures Hui, hosted by Our Food Network. The event attracted a diverse group, including local food resilience businesses, community garden representatives, well-established community groups, sustainability managers from tertiary education institutions, and two local Members of Parliament.
The hui provided a valuable opportunity for participants to connect, network, and collaborate. It encouraged creative thinking and the development of actionable ideas to advance food resilience initiatives identified during the previous two hui.
Upon arrival, participants were each given a food item, which was later used in the “World in a Lunch Box” session. This activity highlighted the disconnect many people have from their food sources, as participants often struggled to trace the origins of the ingredients that were also in the product. It also underscored the significant volume of imported food products and the environmental impact of associated carbon miles.
Following this, the “Key Stakeholders” activity took place. In this session, participants were assigned roles within the current food system. In their respective roles, they discussed the resources and support they would need to succeed, then sought out those stakeholders to engage in conversation. Participants were intermittently asked to observe who had gathered the largest groups of people. Notably, the national and local politicians attracted the most attention, while the food-insecure stakeholders garnered the least.
The group then worked collaboratively to create a vision for the food system in 2040, using a variety of materials such as toys, greenery, paper, and magazines. The resulting vision, developed across five groups, reflected key elements of a more connected and sustainable food system, with a strong emphasis on community and abundant greenery.
A panel discussion followed, featuring five key figures from the food resilience sector, who were asked a series of thought-provoking questions regarding the current food system and its future. The panellists all agreed that the most crucial factors for achieving a food-resilient system were unity and shared values.
Our Food Network (OFN) concluded the hui by reviewing key topics and actions identified in previous hui, which were displayed on a whiteboard. Participants were invited to contribute additional ideas and express interest in specific actions by adding their names next to their chosen initiatives. Contact information was exchanged, and OFN is committed to following up with participants on their progress in due course.
