Join the Fun on the Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival!

This year, the Kids Kai Trail was a big hit at the Flavours of Plenty Festival in Te Puke! It was a day packed with fun, learning, and hands-on activities for kids. From exploring bees to planting in community gardens and even learning how to make their own pizza sauce, the day was full of exciting experiences that taught kids about sustainability, food resilience, and nature. Let’s dive into the highlights of the Kids Kai Trail and what made it so special!

What is the Kids Kai Trail?

The Kids Kai Trail is part of the Flavours of Plenty Festival and is designed to give children a fun, interactive way to learn about food, nature, and sustainability. The trail had four exciting stops, each offering unique activities. From bee education to planting seeds and creating delicious food, it was an adventure for both the mind and senses!

Stop 1: Bee Education and Seed Pouches

At the first stop, kids learned all about bees and their essential role in our ecosystem. Bees help our plants grow, so it was important to understand how they work and why they need our protection.

After the educational session, the children made seed pouches—small, portable packets filled with seeds that can grow into beautiful wildflowers and tasty cauliflowers. Each child left with a little pouch to take home and grow their own flowers and veggies!

Stop 2: Community Garden Fun

Next, the trail led to a vibrant Te Puke community garden where kids got their hands dirty! They learned about growing food and taking care of plants. The kids loved this sensory experience where they could touch, smell, and even taste different plants. It was a perfect chance to explore the garden and discover where our food comes from.

Stop 3: Learning About Kai Resilience

The trail then moved on to a fun and educational stop at a kindergarten GIGGLES, where the theme was kai resilience. Kids got to participate in fun planting activities, learning how we can grow food that lasts and supports a sustainable future. The kindy’s focus on building resilience through food gave children a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Wilde Magic Linda-Mary was your Guide to Remembrance❤️ Sharing The Olde Ways by hosting Wilde Weed Workshophad offerings available on the day plus a delish Elderberry & Plum cordial to introduce tamariki to Our Wildes Whanau, hopefully this will make y’all thirsty for more… Green blessings to all

Stop 4: Delicious Food at The Daily Cafe

The last stop was The Daily Cafe, known for its delicious food and strong community spirit. Kids learned about healthy eating and the importance of good nutrition. They had the chance to make their own pizzas, where they even received a recipe for making their own sauce at home! What a tasty way to wrap up the day!

Our Contribution to the Event

At TROPPO (Vector Group Charitable Trust), we were thrilled to be part of this incredible experience. We supplied tote bags for the kids to collect goodies along the trail, fun vege/fruit themed wrist straps, and masks for protection around soil and compost. “Cute goodie bags for the kids, thank you” one mum commented. To add to the fun, we supplied 98 sorbet ice creams for a refreshing treat (“Sorbet is a winner” was the feedback of the day), two large banana bunches grown in Te Puke on display, and tens of thousands of seeds for the seed bomb workshop at Giggles. We even supplied plants at Giggles and have supplied Krisso’s myfoodforestnz with many plants.

A massive thank you to Giggles, Harvest Church, Te Puke Community gardens, Comvita, Colab, Krisso’s MYFOODFORESTNZ, Wilde Magic and The Daily Cafe for your incredible support during the Kids Kai Trail! And an extra special shoutout to our wonderful volunteers—your energy and generosity made it all happen. We couldn’t have done it without you!

It was a cool day. People had traveled from as far as Auckland to attend

Why This Experience Was So Special

The Kids Kai Trail was all about helping kids connect with nature, food, and their community. It was a fantastic day of learning about sustainable food practices, planting, and eating healthy. The hands-on activities were not only fun but also helped kids understand the importance of food resilience and how they can make a positive impact on the environment.

By the end of the trail, every child had a greater appreciation for food, nature, and sustainability. And with the seed pouches, recipes, and plants to take home, the fun and learning continued long after the trail ended!

Check Out the Video Coverage!

For a sneak peek of the fun-filled day, be sure to watch the video coverage from the Kids Kai Trail on Instagram by Roam With Kids! You can watch their highlights from the event and see all the excitement on the trail. Watch the video here: Kids Kai Trail Highlights.

Join Us Next Time

We can’t wait for the next Kids Kai Trail! Be sure to keep an eye out for this fantastic event in the future, as we continue to collaborate with amazing local organizations like COLAB to bring fun and educational experiences to kids all over.

#KidsKaiTrail #FlavoursOfPlenty #SustainabilityForKids #KaiResilience #FoodEducation #CommunityGarden #EcoFriendlyKids #KidsLearning #COLAB #SeedBombs #PlantingActivities #BeesAndFood #HealthyEatingForKids #TheDailyCafe #TePukeEvents #RoamWithKids #InstagramReels

Briefing Document: Kids Kai Trail at Flavours of Plenty Festival

Date: October 26, 2023 (Analysis of article published April 7, 2025, reflecting on the event) Source: “Join the Fun on the Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival! – Troppo – Plants that Make you Happy” (troppo.co.nz) Author/Publisher: Troppo (Vector Group Charitable Trust) Event Date: April 5, 2025 (as indicated in related posts) Location: Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Main Theme: The Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival in Te Puke was a successful initiative focused on providing children with fun, interactive, and hands-on learning experiences related to food, nature, sustainability, and community engagement.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• Purpose of the Kids Kai Trail: Designed as part of the larger Flavours of Plenty Festival, the Kids Kai Trail aimed to educate children about food origins, the natural world, and sustainable practices in an engaging way. It offered a “fun, interactive way to learn about food, nature, and sustainability.”
• Structure of the Trail: The trail consisted of four distinct stops, each with specific learning objectives and activities:
• Stop 1: Bee Education and Seed Pouches: Children learned about the crucial role of bees in the ecosystem and participated in making “seed pouches —small, portable packets filled with seeds that can grow into beautiful wildflowers and tasty cauliflowers.” This stop combined ecological awareness with a practical takeaway for home gardening.
• Stop 2: Community Garden Fun: At a local Te Puke “community garden,” kids engaged in hands-on activities like planting, learning about food cultivation, and using their senses to explore different plants. This provided a direct experience of where food comes from.
• Stop 3: Learning About Kai Resilience: Hosted at “kindergarten GIGGLES,” this stop focused on “kai resilience,” teaching children about growing food for a sustainable future through planting activities. The aim was to give them “a deeper understanding of the world around them.”
• Stop 4: Delicious Food at The Daily Cafe: The final stop emphasized healthy eating and nutrition. Children had the opportunity to “make their own pizzas” and even received “a recipe for making their own sauce at home!” This provided a tangible and tasty link between food preparation and healthy choices.
• TROPPO’s Contribution: TROPPO (Vector Group Charitable Trust) played a significant role in supporting the event by providing various resources:
• “tote bags” for collecting goodies.
• “fun vege/fruit themed wrist straps” and “masks for protection around soil and compost.”
• “98 sorbet ice creams” which received positive feedback: ““Sorbet is a winner”“.
• “two large banana bunches grown in Te Puke on display.”
• “tens of thousands of seeds for the seed bomb workshop at Giggles.”
• “plants at Giggles” and ongoing plant supply to “Krisso’s myfoodforestnz.”
• Positive Reception: The event was well-received, with “one mum” commenting ““Cute goodie bags for the kids, thank you”“. Attendees reportedly traveled from as far as Auckland, indicating the event’s appeal.
• Learning Outcomes: The Kids Kai Trail aimed to foster a greater appreciation among children for “food, nature, and sustainability.” The hands-on activities were designed to help them understand the importance of “food resilience” and their potential positive impact on the environment.
• Long-Term Engagement: The provision of seed pouches, recipes, and plants aimed to extend the learning experience beyond the festival day, encouraging continued engagement with gardening and healthy eating at home.
• Community Collaboration: The event was a collaborative effort involving “amazing local organizations like COLAB” and the “Te Puke Kai Resilience group.” This highlights the importance of community partnerships in delivering such initiatives.
• Future Events: TROPPO expressed enthusiasm for future iterations of the Kids Kai Trail, encouraging readers to “keep an eye out for this fantastic event in the future.”
• Alignment with TROPPO’s Mission: The event aligns with TROPPO’s broader mission, as stated in the “About Troppo” section, which emphasizes the positive impact of plants on well-being, connection with nature, nourishment, and environmental benefits. “Plants are like little superheroes for our well-being, injecting a burst of vitality into our lives!“

Quotes:

• “This year, the Kids Kai Trail was a big hit at the Flavours of Plenty Festival in Te Puke! It was a day packed with fun, learning, and hands-on activities for kids.”
• “The Kids Kai Trail is part of the Flavours of Plenty Festival and is designed to give children a fun, interactive way to learn about food, nature, and sustainability.”
• “Bees help our plants grow, so it was important to understand how they work and why they need our protection.” (Regarding Stop 1)
• “The kids loved this sensory experience where they could touch, smell, and even taste different plants. It was a perfect chance to explore the garden and discover where our food comes from.” (Regarding Stop 2)
• “Kids got to participate in fun planting activities, learning how we can grow food that lasts and supports a sustainable future.” (Regarding Stop 3)
• “Kids learned about healthy eating and the importance of good nutrition. They had the chance to make their own pizzas, where they even received a recipe for making their own sauce at home!” (Regarding Stop 4)
• ““Cute goodie bags for the kids, thank you”” (Mum’s comment)
• ““Sorbet is a winner”” (Feedback on the ice cream)
• “By the end of the trail, every child had a greater appreciation for food, nature, and sustainability.”
• “Plants are like little superheroes for our well-being, injecting a burst of vitality into our lives!” (About Troppo)

Conclusion:

The Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival was a successful and impactful event that effectively engaged children in learning about food systems, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. Through a well-structured trail with diverse and hands-on activities, the event fostered a greater understanding and appreciation for sustainable practices and healthy eating habits among young participants. The significant contribution of TROPPO, along with collaborations with other local organizations, was crucial to the event’s success. The positive feedback and plans for future events indicate the value and potential for growth of this initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions: Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival

1. What was the Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival? The Kids Kai Trail was an interactive event designed for children as part of the Flavours of Plenty Festival in Te Puke. It offered a fun and hands-on way for kids to learn about food, nature, and sustainability through a series of engaging stops and activities.

2. What were some of the key activities offered on the Kids Kai Trail? The trail featured four main stops with diverse activities. These included learning about the crucial role of bees in our ecosystem and creating seed pouches filled with wildflower and cauliflower seeds, exploring a community garden to understand where food comes from, participating in planting activities at a kindergarten (GIGGLES) focused on kai resilience, and making their own pizzas at The Daily Cafe while learning about healthy eating and receiving a homemade sauce recipe.

3. What was the main focus of the Kids Kai Trail? The primary focus of the Kids Kai Trail was to educate children about sustainability, food resilience, and their connection to nature in an interactive and enjoyable way. It aimed to foster an appreciation for where food comes from, the importance of environmental stewardship (like protecting bees), and the benefits of healthy eating.

4. How did the Kids Kai Trail promote learning about sustainability? Sustainability was integrated into various aspects of the trail. Children learned about the importance of bees for plant growth, participated in planting activities in a community garden and at a kindergarten focused on growing food for the future (kai resilience), and received seeds to grow their own plants at home, encouraging a hands-on understanding of sustainable practices.

5. What role did community involvement play in the Kids Kai Trail? Community played a significant role in the event. The trail included a stop at a Te Puke community garden, highlighting the importance of local food production and shared green spaces. Additionally, a local kindergarten (GIGGLES) hosted activities focused on kai resilience, and The Daily Cafe, a local eatery, provided a hands-on pizza-making experience. Organizations like COLAB also collaborated on the event.

6. What contributions did TROPPO (Vector Group Charitable Trust) make to the Kids Kai Trail? TROPPO was a key contributor to the Kids Kai Trail. They provided tote bags for children to collect goodies, fun fruit and vegetable-themed wrist straps and masks, refreshing sorbet ice creams, large banana bunches grown locally, and tens of thousands of seeds for a seed bomb workshop. They also supplied plants to GIGGLES and other local initiatives.

7. What was the significance of the “kai resilience” theme at the kindergarten stop? The “kai resilience” theme at the kindergarten (GIGGLES) focused on teaching children about growing food that can last and contribute to a sustainable future. By participating in planting activities with this theme, children gained a deeper understanding of how food systems can be made more secure and environmentally friendly.

8. How did the Kids Kai Trail aim to have a lasting impact on the children who participated? The Kids Kai Trail aimed to create a lasting impact by providing children with hands-on experiences that connect them to nature and food production. The seed pouches, pizza sauce recipe, and plants some received allowed them to continue learning and engaging with these concepts at home, fostering a greater appreciation for food, nature, and sustainability beyond the festival day.

Kids Kai Trail Study Guide

Key Concepts:

• Kids Kai Trail: An interactive event at the Flavours of Plenty Festival designed to educate children about food, nature, and sustainability through hands-on activities.
• Flavours of Plenty Festival: A larger event in Te Puke that includes the Kids Kai Trail.
• Sustainability: Practices that aim to protect the environment and ensure resources are available for future generations.
• Food Resilience (Kai Resilience): The ability of a community or system to maintain access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food despite disruptions.
• Community Garden: A shared space where people can grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers together, fostering community engagement and local food production.
• Bee Education: Learning about the vital role of bees in pollination and the ecosystem.
• Seed Pouch: A small container holding seeds for planting, often given as a takeaway activity.
• Seed Bomb: A ball of compressed soil, clay, and seeds that can be thrown onto vacant land to encourage plant growth.
• Healthy Eating: Consuming nutritious foods for overall well-being.
• Hands-on Learning: Learning by actively participating in an activity.
• TROPPO (Vector Group Charitable Trust): The organization that contributed to and documented the Kids Kai Trail, providing resources and support.
• COLAB: A local organization that collaborated on the Kids Kai Trail.
• The Daily Cafe: A local cafe in Te Puke that hosted a stop on the Kids Kai Trail, focusing on healthy eating and pizza making.
• GIGGLES Te Puke Early Learning Centre: A kindergarten that hosted a stop on the trail focused on kai resilience and planting activities.

Quiz:

1. What was the main purpose of the Kids Kai Trail at the Flavours of Plenty Festival?
2. Describe one activity that children participated in at the bee education stop of the Kids Kai Trail.
3. What did the children learn about during the community garden stop?
4. What is the meaning of “kai resilience” as it was presented at the kindergarten GIGGLES stop?
5. What activity did the children engage in at The Daily Cafe, and what did they learn there?
6. Name three items that TROPPO (Vector Group Charitable Trust) contributed to the Kids Kai Trail event.
7. According to the article, why was the Kids Kai Trail experience considered “special” for the children involved?
8. What can readers do to get a “sneak peek” of the Kids Kai Trail event, according to the article?
9. Name one of the local organizations that TROPPO collaborated with for the Kids Kai Trail.
10. What is the broader mission of TROPPO as described in the “About Troppo” section of the article?

Quiz Answer Key:

1. The main purpose of the Kids Kai Trail was to provide children with a fun and interactive way to learn about food, nature, and sustainability through hands-on activities. It aimed to educate them on topics like bee importance, growing food, and healthy eating.
2. At the bee education stop, children learned about the essential role of bees in the ecosystem and why they need protection. They also participated in making seed pouches filled with wildflower and cauliflower seeds to take home and grow.
3. During the community garden stop, the children learned about growing food and taking care of plants. They had a sensory experience, touching, smelling, and even tasting different plants to discover where their food comes from.
4. “Kai resilience” as presented at GIGGLES focused on teaching children how to grow food that lasts and supports a sustainable future. The planting activities aimed to give them a deeper understanding of their relationship with the environment and food security.
5. At The Daily Cafe, the children had the opportunity to make their own pizzas. They learned about healthy eating and good nutrition, and even received a recipe for making their own pizza sauce at home.
6. TROPPO contributed tote bags for the kids, vege/fruit themed wrist straps, and masks. They also supplied sorbet ice creams, banana bunches, and tens of thousands of seeds for a seed bomb workshop and plants for GIGGLES.
7. The Kids Kai Trail was considered special because it helped children connect with nature, food, and their community through fun and engaging hands-on activities. It fostered an appreciation for sustainable food practices, planting, and healthy eating.
8. Readers can watch video coverage of the Kids Kai Trail event on Instagram by Roam With Kids. A link to their highlights reel is provided in the article.
9. One of the local organizations that TROPPO collaborated with for the Kids Kai Trail is COLAB.
10. The broader mission of TROPPO is to enhance well-being by connecting people with nature, emphasizing the nourishing, calming, and air-purifying qualities of plants, ultimately aiming for richer, happier, and healthier lives.

Essay Format Questions:

1. Discuss the significance of hands-on learning activities for children in understanding concepts of sustainability and food resilience, using examples from the Kids Kai Trail.
2. Analyze the role of community collaboration, as exemplified by the partnership between TROPPO and other local organizations, in the success of events like the Kids Kai Trail.
3. Evaluate the impact of initiatives like the Kids Kai Trail on fostering a greater appreciation for nature and healthy eating habits among young participants.
4. Based on the information provided, describe how the Kids Kai Trail contributed to the broader goals of the Flavours of Plenty Festival and the Te Puke community.
5. Considering the various activities of the Kids Kai Trail, discuss how the event effectively integrated education about different aspects of the food system, from seed to table.

Glossary of Key Terms:

• Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, enabling fertilization and the production of seeds, often facilitated by insects like bees.
• Sensory Experience: An interaction with the environment that engages one or more of the five senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing.
• Tote Bag: A large, unfastened bag with parallel handles issuing from the sides.
• Sorbet: A frozen dessert made from sweetened water flavored with fruit juice, fruit purée, wine, liqueur, or honey.
• Wildflower: A flower that grows in the wild, without being intentionally sown or cultivated.
• Native Flora: The plant life that is indigenous to a particular region.
• Mātauranga Māori: Māori knowledge, culture, values, and world view.
• Whānau: Māori term for family or extended family.
• Tamariki: Māori term for children.