Food resilience in your community

Resilience is the ability to prepare for, withstand, and recover from a crisis or disruption – so a resilient food system is one that ensures food security - a sufficient supply of acceptable and accessible food for everyone who requires it, under any circumstances. This month, we’re sharing tips on building food resilience - both at home (read our last blog here) and in your community - by shopping local, growing and sharing produce.

Blog 2: food resilience in your community

Join a community garden project
From Grow Wānaka, to the Hāwea Food Forest and the Community Gardens at the Hub and Wānaka Recreation Centre, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with community gardening in our area and reap the benefits. They’re always looking for more volunteers! You could also join the Wānaka Vegetable Growers Club, a fun and interactive way to learn about growing food.

Find out more about Grow Wānaka by listening to our Radio Wānaka interview all about food resilience here.

Share produce
In November 2021, the Food Security Network launched a series of Community Produce Stands to ensure that people in the community had access to healthy food on a regular basis, whilst reducing food waste. Absolutely anyone can use the stands to share fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, herbs, jams, preserves, and baked goods.

The pantries have been a huge hit, and we have seen more stands springing up from the community as well. There are now stands across the Upper Clutha from Wānaka to Albert Town, Hāwea to Luggate.  Find the locations on our website.

Wānaka and Hāwea Libraries also have a seed library, with vegetable, herb and flower seeds for you to borrow - whether you are just getting started or have a well-established vegetable patch. Pop in to see what's in stock and borrow seeds to grow at home, then bring the seeds back at the end of the season!

 For a great example of community food resilience in action, read about this closed loop between 25 towns in Southland, who can now, in the event of an emergency, support themselves.