About this episode
In Aotearoa New Zealand, food is central to national identity. From farm to family table, dishes like the classic Sunday roast reflect a deep connection to land, people and produce. Yet despite being a food-abundant nation that can feed far more than its population, rising food prices and growing food insecurity mean many families can no longer afford these everyday meals, while huge volumes of edible food are still wasted – it’s like wasting all food grown on the North Island.
WRAP’s Talya Shalev speaks with Kaitlin Dawson, Executive Director of the Kai Commitment, a not-for-profit organisation working to reduce food waste and create a food system that nourishes people, supports communities and protects our environment.
Kaitlin talks about the scale of food waste across households and businesses, the land and resources lost to food that never reaches a plate, and why food waste remains an overlooked lever for climate and social action. Together, they explore what Aotearoa New Zealand stands to lose if food continues to be taken for granted – and why valuing food is essential to protecting culture, connection and the future of a food-producing nation.
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