Food resilience – what does it mean?!

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.

When there’s a shock to the system, like an earthquake or storm, the security of our food system becomes apparent – where does our food come from once the supermarkets are empty? Here in the Upper Clutha, a damaging Alpine Fault earthquake would impact our roading network and supply chain. Civil Defence’s advice is that each household should be prepared with supplies for at least seven days.

There’s lots you can do to prepare your household for an earthquake. Start by visiting getready.govt.nz website for advice on preparing your supplies.

This month, along with our Food Security Network colleagues, we have also thrown together a few tips on how you can build food resilience - both at home and in your community - by shopping local, growing and sharing produce.

Blog 1: food resilience at home

Grow your own veges

Food security starts in your own backyard, making the most of our region’s fertility and climate. We’ve collected a whole host of gardening and growing tips from experts Dr. Compost and Grow Wānaka on our website – find it here under food resilience resources. Or take a look at Dr. Compost’s winter gardening flyer here.

If you don’t have the space or time to garden at home, you could consider joining a community garden project. More on that next week…

Find your own food

Central Otago has a fantastic foraging map for finding free produce - from apple trees to wild thyme. It’s a fantastic resource for food security – and lots of fun for all the family too!

Shop local

Did you know we have a huge range of local growers, producers and sellers in the Upper Clutha?

That includes market gardens like Frog Song Farm; Harvest Homegrown; Wānaka Willows; Redbridge Berries; and Wild Things Wānaka; producers like People’s Bread; Pirate Pickles; and the Hāwea Beekeeping Collective; and sellers like FreshLink; Honest Wholefood Co; and Organic Wholefoods.

More on food resilience in the community next week!