Kai communities

The industrial food system is causing climate chaos and biodiversity loss, but most of us still support it. Just witness the multitudes that frequent corporate fast food outlets, or the millions of dollars spent in supermarkets every day. Profit rather than nutrition drives the food system.

Being a conscious consumer

As I have gotten older and observe and understand how my dietary choices impact my health and the planet, I have changed what I eat. I find myself eating much more fresh and locally grown vegetables, meat and fruit, and much less processed food. I shop at the Whangārei Growers Market most Saturdays and grow some of my veggies and fruit. I buy takeaways only from locally owned outlets now. And I am learning about the restaurants – such as Schnappa Rock, that grow their own food and work with local producers. My health has benefitted.

The global food system contributes 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that this enables everyone that eats opportunities to contribute to healing the climate. The onus is especially on those of us who have discretionary income to allow some choice in what we buy. And those with less available cash still take steps to find local, nutritious choices that are affordable.

The benefits

Just some benefits are briefly outlined here and will be expanded in future posts.

• Creating a market for locally produced and processed food.
• Increasing market diversity for producers.
• Strengthening the local economy.
• Knowing and supporting the producers that grow and farm in ways that heal the climate and enhance biodiversity.
• Enjoying health benefits by reducing the consumption of highly processed foods.
• Rebuilding community.

How might it work?

It will work best by creating communities. These might be virtual communities supported with the Internet and apps, or local in-person communities. Here are three scenarios.

Health groups

We can reverse health conditions such as type 2 diabetes with food. And it works best with community support. There is a wealth of information available on the Internet and working in community to fact check it and compare experiences will create a motivating peer-coaching environment. I used continuous glucose monitors to help understand how foods were impacting my blood sugar levels. This would have been more informative doing it in community and sharing tasty ways to prepare the healthiest foods.

Marae-based hauora groups

Many marae have great kitchens and cool storage, and some have māra kai. They would make ideal venues for food gatherings with a focus on local and healthy food. People could bring ingredients and prepare food together. Growing your own food, accessing it in community, or supporting local producers is a pathway to mana motuhake and kai sovereignty.

Self audits

Sourcing our food closer to home creates greater transparency. If you grow your own food, you know how clean and chemical free it is. And it can be similar with growers markets.

Below is a screenshot of a spreadsheet tool to audit where you get your food from. For example, if you get all of it from your garden or farm that would be 10 X 100% or 10. If you get all from corporate fast food outlets, that would be -10. I eat well, and I am only between 1 and 2, so I can make a lot of improvements.

Here is a link to the Excel file. Please share how it works for you.

If you have any ideas for Kai Communities, please share them.