The group behind a new report on Southland’s ‘broken’ food system are hoping to start a movement which will ensure good food is available, affordable, and accessible to all Southlanders.

Feeding Murihiku: Our Good Food Road Map, is a comprehensive two-year study of our province’s local food system which outlines the challenges and opportunities in strengthening food security and food resilience in Southland.

The Murihiku Kai Collective, a group passionate about food systems transformation, has brought together insights from local families, community groups, mana whenua, local government, health and social services and food growers and entrepreneurs to inform the report, providing an in depth look at our community’s experiences of our food system.

“In a society where everyone should have the right to eat well, too many in Southland face barriers to accessing quality food,” the report says.

The province’s geographic isolation, focus on exports and unbalanced local market made it more difficult for people to afford nutritious food and easier to buy unhealthy options. Challenges identified during the research process included a lack of knowledge about Southland’s food ‘story’, significant changes to land use over the years, the influence of corporations in the food system, and a lack of pathways for local leaders in the kai space.

The report calls on the community to collectively support policies that make nutritious food affordable, advocate for local food producers, prioritise support and resources for kai creators and educators and celebrate sustainable farming practices.

Included in the report is a Good Food Road Map, modelled on a similar initiative in South Auckland, which advocates for a co-ordinated approach for lasting change. The Road Map highlights issues and barriers in our local food system, and also provides actionable recommendations around five foundational pillars (pou):

1. Whakanui Murihiku / Celebrate Southland: Honouring the unique food culture and resources of our region.
2. Nā Tātou / Locally Led: Empowering local leadership to guide sustainable food practices.
3. Hei Oranga / Food That Nourishes: Ensuring access to food that is both nourishing and culturally appropriate.
4. Kore Hiakai / Zero Hunger: Striving for a community where no one goes hungry.
5. Pakari Tonu / Resilience: Building a food system that can withstand external shocks and challenges.

It is a very special achievement to have Feeding Murihiku: Our Good Food Road Map published and released. This has been a power of work by many community organisations, ably supported by the Healthy Families Invercargill team. After attending the launch of the report, the very next day, (Wee food magazine editor) Louise Evans’ opinion piece was published, a thought-provoking article that looks at the character of the report and those who curated it, and why basic nutritious kai should not be a luxury.

https://rb.gy/5anqjp 

Kai Systems Innovator Rachel Robertson says “Good conversation has started within key relationships in the food resilience space locally – with visits planned to funders, Council, and local development agencies to talk about how they can put a kai lens across their mahi, no matter the view. Murihiku Kai Collective members have said this document and action-based strategy feels like the missing link they have needed to put pedal to the metal and quicken the process of change that means everyone is able to access good food at all times.”

Exciting times to come as we see the next steps and positive impact following on from the successful launch of the report, and we journey towards food security and food resilience in Southland.

To learn more about Murihiku's food story, and for a digital copy of Feeding Murihiku: Our Good Food Road Map, click here:

https://rb.gy/5fodka