Friday Five: Ways to celebrate Local Food Week

1. Master minimising food waste (and win!)  

Worldwide food waste is a big problem! Approximately one-third of all food is lost or wasted between farm and fork.   

Minimising food waste has a long list of benefits including reducing carbon emissions and food insecurity. But in our busy lives it can be a challenge! Love Food, Hate Waste has some ideas to get you started.  

Are you a pro at reducing food waste? Share how you reduce food waste in your household on our Instagram. You can win a FoodPrint voucher and a one-month subscription to Wonky Box. Entries close Friday 4 March. 

2. Pack a picnic but make it all local 

Stock up on some local goodies from one of the many farmers markets across the city, grab some pals, a rug, some good tunes and settle down for lunch in the sun. There is no shortage of great picnic spots across the city. One of our faves is Ōtari-Wiltons Bush.  

3. Discover our amazing community gardens  

Community gardens are the hidden gems of our city. You’ll find them tucked away behind bowling clubs and nestled in-between houses from the hills of Brooklyn to the winding streets of Karori.  

Not only are they abundant with local kai, they’re also wonderful places to go and connect with others, or simply take some time out for your mental health. They’re scattered across the city, so what are you waiting for? Head out and find one near you.

4. Head out and show some aroha to our local food businesses  

There are so many awesome local businesses in Pōneke serving up culinary delights, from the frugal to the fancy there is something for everyone.  

If you’re a sucker for eating out but you’re on a budget, FoodPrint might just be your new best friend. They rescue restaurant and café food at the end of the day and redirect it to you at a heavily discounted price, all through their nifty little app.  

Feeling a bit lazy but still want to love local? Wellington NZ have you sorted with their local food delivery directory, At Yours. Keeping your takeaway consumption local helps to reduce carbon emissions, and it enables local businesses to thrive – it’s a win win. 

For the day to day, Council grant recipient Yum Jar offers a waste free, 100 percent plant-based alternative to the usual meal boxes. Not only does it save money, but it’s also great for the environment. Talk about feel good food!  

5. Support food rescue   

We are lucky in Wellington to have some awesome food rescue organisations. One of those is Council supported Kaibosh. They pick up leftover food from cafes and supermarkets at the end of the day and their volunteers work to distribute it to community group recipients.  

You can donate to Kaibosh so they can keep doing their important mahi – stopping food from hitting the landfill and filling the tummies of those who need it!  

Another great way to reduce food waste is by purchasing a Wonky Box subscription – because who said the wonky veggies weren’t just as tasty? It’s a known fact they taste even better when you’re saving money and funding our regional farmers!