Kai

The current and dominant industrial food system has delivered a web of dysfunction and is evidently driven by the profit motive with scant regard for the role food has in providing sustenance and nutrition for people.

We aspire to transform into a regenerative food system that goes beyond sustainability to improve and heal the land, the quality of food, the climate, and the communities that will once more develop reverence for the food we produce and consume.

A systems perspective is helpful. The food system here is positioned as the processes of producing, processing, distributing and consuming food. The food system itself is embedded in and interacts with other systems, including the health system, the economic system and systems of governance. By stepping back and understanding the cultural dynamics that are locking in the industrial food system and understanding those dynamics that will promote change we can be more effective in our efforts.

Kai communities

We can see improvements at each of these four parts of the food system, but perhaps consumption needs the greatest focus for now. Raising up a cohort of conscious consumers will create the demand to support regenerative production, processing and distribution. And we all consume food, so while feeding ourselves we can also grow or purchase those foods that help to heal the climate and support our Health.

Climate Action Tai Tokerau is at the early stages of establishing “Kai Communities”. These are groups of people that get together around food. The focus of a group might include: – a common health problem, e.g. diabetes – food appreciation – cooking and eating together – working to relieve food poverty in the neighbourhood – developing gardening shills and sharing of kai in a neighbourhood. If you are interested in starting or joining a group in Te Tai Tokerau , please leave a commenton the kai communities post, or contact someone from Climate Action Tai Tokerau.

Kai resources