At our core, we believe that the future of food resilience lies in the hands of our youth. The stories of young people stepping up to address complex challenges are not just feel-good tales; they are powerful examples of leadership, innovation, and unwavering resilience. We see this firsthand in the inspiring work of three incredible students from Ōtūmoetai College—Chelsea Williamson, Saige McDonnell, and Olivia Antcliff.
This trio of Year 12 students has tackled the issue of food accessibility head-on by creating a website that offers allergy-friendly recipes. Their journey began with a simple yet profound observation: a close friend felt like a burden because of her dietary intolerances. In that moment, they didn’t just feel empathy; they felt a call to action. They saw a problem and committed themselves to finding a solution, not just for their friend, but for a global community of people facing similar struggles.
Their project, while seemingly a business venture, is a testament to the power of youth-led kai resilience. They identified a significant barrier to food security and belonging—the lack of accessible, inclusive recipes—and built a platform to overcome it. In doing so, they demonstrated the kind of proactive, problem-solving mindset that we champion. Their resilience was evident in every step of their process. They had no prior experience with website coding, yet they taught themselves through tutorials and AI. They faced financial setbacks with their initial platform, but they adapted and found a new, more sustainable solution. “Learning how to build a functional, professional website from scratch while juggling schoolwork was a huge challenge,” said Antcliff, “but it’s taught us so much.”
This is the very essence of youth-led resilience. It’s not about having all the answers from the start; it’s about the courage to take on a challenge, the grit to overcome obstacles, and the determination to see a vision through. By creating a platform that fosters a sense of community through shared recipes, they are not just providing a service; they are building a network of support, empowering individuals to take control of their diets and feel a sense of belonging. They are turning personal experiences into collective solutions, a true mark of a leader.
We are proud to support and celebrate these young leaders and others like them. They are not just participating in the kai resilience movement; they are shaking it up, pushing boundaries, and proving that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change. By investing in youth and their innovative ideas, we are investing in a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for all.
Photo: Ōtūmoetai College year 12s Saige McDonnell, Olivia Antcliff and Chelsea Williamson. Photo / Brydie Thompson