Grow Te Puke: Cultivating a Resilient Kai Community
At the heart of Te Puke, the Vector Group Charitable Trust is leading a vibrant, grassroots movement to build a more resilient and sustainable community. Their multifaceted kai initiative, Grow Te Puke, is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when innovation, collaboration, and a passion for plants come together.
This initiative is much more than a single project; it’s a living network of resources and opportunities designed to empower local growers and connect the community through food. Here’s a look at the key components that make Grow Te Puke a thriving success:
Collaboration with Local Stakeholders Grow Te Puke operates on the belief that a strong community is built through shared effort. The initiative actively collaborates with a wide range of local groups and organizations, from community gardens to environmental trusts. By working with these stakeholders, the project ensures its efforts are deeply rooted in the needs and knowledge of the community, fostering a collective approach to food security and sustainability.
Troppo’s Tropical Urban Food Forest and Nursery This urban food forest is the jewel in the crown of the initiative. Located in Te Puke, this innovative space, run by Vector Group Charitable Trust is a living laboratory and educational hub. It showcases how tropical and subtropical plants—from bananas and papayas to rare edible species—can thrive in the Bay of Plenty’s unique climate with the proper approach. The nursery attached to the food forest provides a source for these unique plants, helping others start their own resilient gardens.
Food Forest Tours and Workshops To share its wealth of knowledge, Grow Te Puke offers regular tours of Troppo’s food forest. These tours provide a hands-on look at permaculture principles in action and the benefits of a multi-layered edible ecosystem. Complementing the tours are a variety of workshops that empower participants with practical skills, from propagation techniques to syntropic planting strategies, making sustainable gardening accessible to all.
NurseryMap and Local Resources As part of its commitment to supporting local growers, the initiative works to connect the community with local nurseries. This network of resources, a kind of “NurseryMap,” helps individuals find the specific plants, advice, and tools they need to succeed in their own gardens, from native species to specialized fruit trees.
The Edible Landscapes Initiative The vision for a “magazine” is realized through the project’s online presence, which serves as a digital hub for information and inspiration. Under the banner of the Edible Landscapes initiative, the platform celebrates community gardens, food forests, and innovative growing projects. It features stories, articles, and practical tips, effectively creating a living magazine that documents and promotes the growing kai resilience movement across the region.
Community Crop Swap One of the most popular community engagement activities is the regular Crop Swap. This is a free event where gardeners, bakers, and crafters come together to exchange surplus produce, plants, seeds, and homemade goods. It’s a powerful example of the local circular economy in action, fostering connections and reducing waste while ensuring that the bounty of the land is shared amongst all.
Grow Te Puke is a thriving model for building a stronger, more sustainable food community. Through its collaborative efforts and diverse projects, it’s inspiring individuals to get their hands dirty and helping to cultivate a truly resilient future for everyone in the region.