Our Food Network: Ōtepoti Food Futures
Strengthening Dunedin’s Local Food Markets
When: Friday, August 23rd (5:30pm - 7pm)
Location: Erricks - 218 Crawford Street, Dunedin 9016
Dunedin spends approximately $17 Million every week on food. The city currently has a local food system, however, that is overwhelmingly reliant on importing food. This system doesn’t serve all residents at the best of times, and is at risk of catastrophic failure should major disruptions to national and/or international production and supply chains occur.
While there are many dedicated folks working passionately on kai issues in Ōtepoti, the reality is that no single solution will propel Dunedin into a prosperous and food resilient future, ready for the challenges posed by myriad environmental, economic, and social factors. This can only be achieved through effective collaboration between diverse stakeholders.
In November, 2024, OFN is organising Ōtepoti Food Futures; a city-wide, politically inclusive food Hui that will see actors from all sectors collaborating to map out the changes needed to establish our city as a food pioneer in Aotearoa. One of the most pressing of these discussions is about strengthening and expanding our local food market. We want to collectively map out how we can:
Better support those already producing food locally
Expand local infrastructure and markets to create space for more producers without squeezing those already growing and producing locally
Inspire and empower the next generation of farmers and growers to step into the food production sphere
Ensure the limited land suitable for food production in and around Dunedin is not used for other purposes
Support social enterprise initiatives
Anything else you think needs to be addressed!
On August 23rd, 5:30pm - 7pm, we would like to invite members of the local business community, food producers, community organisers, as well as representatives from local, regional, and central government to have a drink with us. We want to inform you of what we have planned for November, while also hearing about what's important to you.
The aim of this initial meeting is to inform and prepare all parties, ensuring that come November we’re prepared for robust, meaningful, and objective-focused discussions that drive this mahi forward with our collective power.
Our diversity is our strength. Ōtepoti is our town. Let’s figure out how to feed it!
