Detailed Strategic Plan for the Food Resilience Initiative in Te Puke Region (2025-2030)

Vision: By 2030, Te Puke Region will have a thriving, equitable, and sustainable food system that meets community needs and enhances the local environment, characterized by strong local production, community engagement, and cultural relevance.   

Strategic Objectives, Timelines, and Resource Allocation:

1. Enhance Local Food Production and Access

• Objective 1.1: Establish at least two thriving community food forests in accessible locations within Te Puke Region.

  • Measurable: Two established food forests with active community involvement.
  • Achievable: Leveraging existing community garden experience and the proposal for a food forest in Te Puke.
  • Relevant: Directly increases local food availability and aligns with the vision.
  • Time-bound: Te Puke food forest established by Q4 2027; Maketu food forest established by Q4 2029.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1 (2025): Identify suitable land in Te Puke (public and private). Begin community consultations and secure initial funding (grants, local council support).  
    • Year 2 (2026): Finalize land agreements for Te Puke, develop detailed design plans incorporating permaculture and syntropic agroforestry principles. Recruit core volunteer team and begin initial planting.  
    • Year 3 (2027): Continue planting and establish initial management systems for the Te Puke food forest. Begin identifying suitable land in Maketu and initiate community consultations. 
    • Year 4 (2028): Secure land agreement for Maketu food forest, develop detailed design plans. Continue development and community engagement for both food forests.
    • Year 5 (2029): Begin planting and establish initial management systems for the Maketu food forest.
    • Year 6 (2030): Both food forests are established and actively contributing to local food access.
  • Resources: Volunteer coordinator (part-time), gardening tools and supplies, seeds and seedlings (including tropical varieties) , permaculture/agroforestry expertise (partnerships, workshops), land lease/usage agreements.  

• Objective 1.2: Support the expansion and enhancement of community gardens in Te Puke Region.

  • Measurable: Increase in the number of active community garden participants by 25% and establishment of at least two new community garden initiatives.
  • Relevant: Provides diverse opportunities for local food production and community engagement.
  • Time-bound: Two new initiatives established by Q4 2028; participant increase achieved by Q4 2030.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-2 (2025-2026): Conduct community needs assessment for additional garden spaces. Provide resources and support to existing gardens.
    • Year 3-4 (2027-2028): Facilitate the establishment of at least two new community garden locations (e.g., schools, community centers).  
    • Year 5-6 (2029-2030): Continue to support and promote community garden participation through workshops and resources.
  • Resources: Community garden coordinator (volunteer or part-time), tools and materials, seeds and seedlings, composting support , workshop facilitators.  

2. Strengthen Community Engagement and Education

• Objective 2.1: Develop and deliver at least four educational workshops/training sessions annually on topics related to kai resilience, sustainable gardening, food preservation, and healthy eating.

  • Measurable: Four workshops held annually with an average of 20 participants per session.
  • Achievable: Leveraging existing expertise within the Vector Group, COLAB, Mana Kai Mana Ora, and Ngāpeke Permaculture.  
  • Relevant: Empowers the community with knowledge and skills to enhance food resilience.
  • Time-bound: Commencing Q1 2026 and ongoing annually.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1 (2025): Develop workshop curriculum and identify facilitators.
    • Year 2-6 (2026-2030): Deliver workshops regularly, adapting content based on community feedback and needs.
  • Resources: Workshop coordinator (volunteer or part-time), venue for workshops (community hall, The Loft), materials and supplies, marketing and promotion.

• Objective 2.2: Increase community awareness and participation in food resilience initiatives through regular communication and engagement activities.

  • Measurable: Increase in website/social media engagement by 30% and active participation in food resilience events by 20%.
  • Achievable: Utilizing the Troppo website and existing community networks.  
  • Relevant: Ensures broad community involvement and ownership of the initiatives.
  • Time-bound: Ongoing throughout the project period.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-6 (2025-2030): Develop a communication strategy, maintain active online presence, organize community events (e.g., food forest tours, harvest festivals).  
  • Resources: Communications coordinator (volunteer or part-time), website and social media platforms, event materials and logistics support.

3. Foster Collaboration and Partnerships

• Objective 3.1: Strengthen collaboration with key organizations such as Poutiri Trust, COLAB Kai Resilience Group, and Mana Kai Mana Ora.

  • Measurable: Regular joint meetings (at least quarterly) with each organization and participation in at least two joint projects/initiatives annually.
  • Achievable: Building on existing relationships and shared goals.  
  • Relevant: Maximizes resources, expertise, and impact through collective action.
  • Time-bound: Ongoing throughout the project period.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-6 (2025-2030): Establish and maintain regular communication channels, participate in joint planning and activities, and explore opportunities for shared funding applications.
  • Resources: Relationship manager (volunteer or part-time), meeting facilitation support.

• Objective 3.2: Establish partnerships with local schools, early learning centers, and businesses to integrate food resilience into their activities.

  • Measurable: At least five schools/centers and three businesses actively participating in food resilience initiatives.
  • Achievable: Leveraging the existing involvement of Giggles Early Learning Centre and The Daily Charitable Trust.  
  • Relevant: Broadens the reach and impact of food resilience efforts within the community.
  • Time-bound: Partnerships established by Q4 2028.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-3 (2025-2027): Develop outreach materials and identify potential partners.
    • Year 4-6 (2028-2030): Establish partnerships and support the implementation of joint initiatives (e.g., school gardens, workplace composting).
  • Resources: Partnership coordinator (volunteer or part-time), outreach materials, program development support.

4. Promote Food Sovereignty and Cultural Appropriateness

• Objective 4.1: Actively incorporate Māori perspectives on kai resilience and food sovereignty into all initiatives.

  • Measurable: Demonstrated integration of mātauranga Māori in at least 80% of food resilience activities and consultation with local iwi/hapū on all major initiatives.
  • Achievable: Building on the Trust’s existing understanding and the Mana Kai Mana Ora framework.  
  • Relevant: Ensures cultural relevance and aligns with the principles of kai resilience.
  • Time-bound: Ongoing throughout the project period.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-6 (2025-2030): Establish and maintain relationships with local iwi/hapū, integrate traditional knowledge into workshops and food forest designs, and prioritize culturally appropriate food sources.
  • Resources: Cultural advisor (partnership or consultancy), resources on mātauranga Māori.

• Objective 4.2: Support initiatives that enhance access to culturally appropriate and healthy kai for all community members.

  • Measurable: Increase in the utilization of pātaka kai and participation in community dinners by 20%.
  • Achievable: Building on the existing network of pātaka kai and the work of The Daily Charitable Trust.  
  • Relevant: Addresses food insecurity and promotes equity within the community.
  • Time-bound: Utilization and participation increase achieved by Q4 2030.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-6 (2025-2030): Support and promote the existing pātaka kai network, explore opportunities to expand their reach, and collaborate with The Daily Charitable Trust to enhance community meal programs.
  • Resources: Pātaka kai support (volunteers), community dinner coordination support.

5. Promote Environmental Sustainability

• Objective 5.1: Integrate circular economy principles into food resilience initiatives to minimize waste.

  • Measurable: Implementation of community composting programs in at least two locations and a 15% reduction in food waste associated with project activities.
  • Achievable: Aligning with the Maketū Climate Plan and existing community garden composting efforts.  
  • Relevant: Reduces environmental impact and promotes resource efficiency.
  • Time-bound: Composting programs established by Q4 2028; waste reduction achieved by Q4 2030.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-3 (2025-2027): Research and plan community composting programs.
    • Year 4-6 (2028-2030): Implement composting programs and monitor food waste reduction.
  • Resources: Composting coordinator (volunteer), composting bins and materials, educational resources.

• Objective 5.2: Support and collaborate with local environmental initiatives such as tree planting and wetland restoration.

  • Measurable: Participation in at least two joint environmental projects annually with organizations like the Maketū Wetland Society.
  • Achievable: Existing commitment to environmental sustainability within the Trust’s vision.
  • Relevant: Enhances the environmental benefits of the food resilience initiative.
  • Time-bound: Ongoing throughout the project period.
  • Timeline:
    • Year 1-6 (2025-2030): Establish communication and collaboration with relevant groups, participate in tree planting days and wetland restoration activities, and explore opportunities to integrate food-producing trees into planting projects.
  • Resources: Volunteer support, coordination with environmental groups.

Resource Allocation:

• Human Resources: Dedicated volunteer coordinator, community garden coordinator, workshop coordinator, communications coordinator, partnership coordinator, cultural advisor (as needed). Explore options for part-time paid positions as funding allows.
• Financial Resources: Seek funding through grants (Lottery Community Grants Scheme, TECT, local council grants) , community fundraising, and potential social enterprise activities (e.g., selling surplus produce, workshops).  
• Material Resources: Gardening tools and supplies, seeds and seedlings, composting bins, workshop materials, communication and marketing materials, potential infrastructure for food forests (e.g., fencing, water systems).
• Land Resources: Secure access to suitable land for community food forests and gardens through partnerships with local council, private landowners, and community organizations.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework with clear KPIs aligned with the strategic objectives (e.g., number of food forests established, volunteer participation rates, workshop attendance, food waste reduction).
• Collect data through surveys, participation records, food production tracking, and environmental assessments.
• Conduct annual reviews involving key stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, and adapt strategies as needed.

This strategic plan provides a roadmap for the Vector Group Charitable Trust to achieve its ambitious vision for food resilience in Te Puke Region. Regular review and adaptation will be crucial to ensure its success and long-term impact.