A big end to a big year

As if to prove that 2023 has been a roller coaster ride, one of the biggest thrills for me comes right before the finish line. I’ve been named one of ten semi-finalists in the 2024 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Years Awards - Environmental Hero of the Year. The mahi of the other semi-finalists is incredibly humbling.

So if I’m to be given a brief platform then it’s an opportunity to acknowledge the Mahinga Kai experts who seek to connect us all back to our natural world. A moment for the farmers and fishers who through their practices regenerate the land and ocean, and the community food-growers who help us find our way back to our local food. To other community leaders in the food security, food loss & waste and food sovereignty space. To those who create joy with food. To my Eat New Zealand family and Food Farm whānau. And importantly, to all the eaters who every day make decisions about the future they want to see, through the food they put on their plate.

I don't know who nominated me for this, but if it was you, thank you for the support and love. 🙏🏽💚

Wishing you all an abundant, peaceful and delicious season.

Rest. 2024 is going to be a cracker.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou!

Angela Clifford, CE Eat New Zealand.

@eat.newzealand

#KnowYourFarmer #KnowYourFisher #EatNZGrains #GrowFoodCommunities #EatNZKaitaki #RepurposeTheSurplus #Biodiversity #FeastMatariki #MahikaKai

Finding your kai this Christmas

Hopefully some of you caught the Stuff article (also published in The Post) over the weekend, where Angela laid down a wero/challenge for us to find our local food this festive season.

We encourage you to take a moment to amplify your local food system and support those small food producers who work hard to feed their communities with nourishing kai.

As an example here's a round up we shared on Instagram stories this week, of some of the CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) you can purchase from throughout Aotearoa. You can also follow our Eat NZ Kaitaki over on IG this week, as they share where they will be finding their local kai this Christmas.

Read more from the Stuff.co.nz article

Three Most Impactful Xmas Gifts

1. Become a Friend of Kelmarna Community Farm:

Joining the ‘Friends of Kelmarna’ Membership Scheme is one of the most powerful ways to be part of their mission to create a better food future and more connected communities. Take your pick from the fruit & vege options below...

• Rad-ish supporter: $96 per year ($8/month)
• Cool-cumber supporter: $180 per year ($15/month)
• Incom-pear-able supporter: $300 per year ($25/month)
• Un-beet-able supporter: $960 per year ($80/month)

Donate to Kelmarna here.

2. Give the gift of Growth with Garden to Table:

This Christmas, you can help a child develop essential life skills by donating to Garden to Table. Your donation will empower a child to whanake (grow), hauhake (harvest), whakarite (prepare), and whāngai (share) fresh and seasonal kai in 2024 🥕

Donate to Garden to Table here.

3. Pledge to Support 'What's Eating Aotearoa':

Much like us, The Spinoff want to spend 2024 focused on all the ways food intersects culture, business and climate change. From the supermarket duopoly to local producers to the hospitality sector to the conditions that lead to food poverty, from liquor licensing to diet culture and government reform to gastronomical delight. This is the final day to support this ambitious editorial project focused on producing longform and accessible journalism.

Donate to The Spinoff Project 'What's Eating Aotearoa' here.