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Blueskin Food Systems Report
The ideal of eating local, seasonal food has grown in profile in recent years, as consumers recognise the value of
ensuring a secure local food supply and the social and environmental advantages of reducing supply chains.
Now, the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust has taken a step towards exploring what this could mean for a cluster of
coastal Otago communities north of Dunedin, by commissioning a comprehensive report into the area's local food systems.
Says BRCT Manager Scott Willis, “We knew there was a significant amount of interest and activity in food locally. What
this report does is enable us to see this picture more vividly and gain a real understanding of the state of play in
terms of our local food economy.”
Supported by a Lotteries Commission grant, and researched by local food and environmental consultant Rhys Millar, the
report explores a the local food system in relation to a range of dimensions, including the history of food action in
the Blueskin area; identifying potential impacts of climate change on food production opportunities; comparing calories
commercially produced in the region with those consumed; understanding more about informal and home-grown food
economies; and gauging the attitudes towards – and appetite for – greater development of the local food systems.
Willis says that while the report recognises an imbalance between food produced and consumed in the region, it also
speaks to an active community of food-growing enthusiasts.
“One of a great pleasures of living in rural areas and small communities is the chance to be more connected to your
food supply, whether it is through growing your own veges, or buying eggs from a neighbour. This report affirms the
value placed on this for its own sake quite aside from the economic or environmental advantages of doing so, and this is
worth acknowledging and celebrating.”
Willis says Blueskin communities' task now “is to consider how these findings can be applied to our vision of a
resilient, sustainable and thriving community. This could mean our ability to withstand a crisis that could cut us off
for weeks, or to position ourselves to cope with changes to the economy and food supply due to the incremental impacts
of climate change. And of course we want to ensure a vibrant, desirable community where food producers can make a good
livelihood and connect with their customers.”
Key findings include:
• Based on a population of 2800, the Blueskin area requires 2,313 tonnes of food each year, and commercially produces
1837.2 tonnes. However, this is overwhelmingly weighted towards beef and lamb, producing more than seven times that
required by the local community. In all other food groups except dairy, Blueskin is a net importer of calories from
other areas.
• The fertile alluvial Waitati river plain equals in size the land that would be required to sustain its population in
fruit and vegetables; however this area may be particularly susceptible to impact of climate change.
• Around 75% of households surveyed are producing some kind of food, including fruit, vegetables, berries, eggs and
meat.
• Approximately 35% of those producing food at home reported being self-sufficient in at least one food item, but none
claimed complete self-sufficiency.
• 81% of those surveyed agreed that knowing where food comes from is important, and 76% indicated a strong interest in
supporting local food initiatives.
The community is invited to visit the BRCT stall at the Blueskin Community Market on Sunday 6th September to discuss
the report and consider next steps. (11 am–1pm at Gallery on Blueskin, Harvey Street, Waitati). Or they can read it
online and email comments to office@brct.co.nz
The report can be downloaded at: http://www.brct.org.nz/assets/BRCT-publications/Blueskin-and-Karitane-Food-System-Report-Final.pdf
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