October is World Food Day month — a time to reflect on how the way we grow, share and consume food shapes our communities and our future. This year’s theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” resonates deeply with our mahi at Kaibosh, where food is more than just sustenance — it’s the foundation for connection, wellbeing, and resilience.
As part of a student internship with Kaibosh, Holly Watson has explored the challenges of food insecurity in Aotearoa and how community-led action, partnerships, and care are helping build stronger, more sustainable food systems. In her story, Holly shares what she learned — and the people she met — through her time with Kaibosh.
Hand in hand Kaibosh and partners are building food resilience across Wellington
What we put on our plates every day does much more than simply fill our puku – kai is the fuel that keeps our bodies running, our immune system pumping and helps heal us when we aren’t at our best. Eating a healthy mix of foods can protect us from things like heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. But here’s something many people don’t realise: food isn’t just about physical health. The nutrients we eat also play a major role in our mental wellbeing, nourishing our brain by improving our focus, memory, and other cognitive functions, as well as protecting it. However, for many whānau, this vital necessity of kai is getting harder to access and afford, and the industrial food system has inadvertently created a disconnect between the food, land and the people.
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