At Grow Te Puke, our mission is to cultivate a resilient kai community, one backyard at a time. We’ve always believed in the power of shared knowledge and collective effort. That’s why we’re so proud to announce the launch of a revolutionary new tool from our parent organisation, Vector Group Charitable Trust: the www.kairesilience.food website portal.
This platform is a monumental step forward for our work and for the entire food resilience movement in Aotearoa. It is the first truly comprehensive national and regional hub of its kind, and it’s a game-changer for anyone passionate about growing, sharing, and eating local. The www.kairesilience.food portal is the digital garden we’ve all been waiting for—a place where our collective efforts can flourish.
This new website is a:
- Multi-Vendor Market: A digital storefront for our local growers, giving them a direct channel to sell their incredible produce.
- Community Directory: Find your nearest community garden, food forest, or local nursery.
- Crop Swap & Food Exchange: A streamlined system to facilitate the sharing of surplus produce, reducing waste and strengthening community bonds.
- Events Hub: Stay up-to-date on all Grow Te Puke workshops, local farmers’ markets, and other kai-related events in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.
- Farm-to-Plate Connection: A simple way to connect with the source of your food, fostering a deeper appreciation for the effort and care that goes into it.
“For years, we’ve been working on the ground in Te Puke, and we’ve seen the incredible potential for a more localised food system,” says Steve Fawcett, a key stakeholder in the Te Puke and kai resilience sectors. “The www.kairesilience.food portal is the technological engine that will supercharge that potential. It connects the dots, providing a seamless pathway from seed to plate, and from community to whānau. It’s a practical, useful tool that truly embodies our ‘grow together’ ethos.”
We at Grow Te Puke will be using the www.kairesilience.food portal to highlight our own projects, share our knowledge, and connect with a wider network of growers and enthusiasts. This platform is not just about what we sell; it’s about what we share. We encourage everyone in our community to explore this incredible new resource and join us in making Te Puke a model for kai resilience in New Zealand. Check it out today at www.kairesilience.food.