Our Story
Dunedin faces significant food challenges, with the majority of its food supply sourced from outside the region, leaving the city highly vulnerable to shortages—both in everyday situations and especially following major natural disasters. This reliance is intensified by the steady decline of people entering the agricultural sector over the past decade, as many existing farmers age out or seek exits due to exhaustion. These trends heighten the risk to our local food supply chain.
Recent work by the Dunedin City Council’s Economic Development team produced an Investment Logic Map (ILM) identifying key issues and potential solutions, yet this initiative has since lost momentum. Meanwhile, the rapidly evolving landscape has rendered parts of the work outdated, unable to fully address current concerns and opportunities. The Zero Carbon work undertaken by the Dunedin City Council (DCC) has emphasised specific activities to be ‘supported’ and ‘encouraged’, aimed at fostering local and regenerative food systems. These activities have also been independently recognised by the Food Equity and Education Dunedin Charitable Trust (FEED) as crucial areas of focus. It is imperative that these findings are taken into account to develop a comprehensive and resilient strategy for Dunedin’s food supply chain.
Through our efforts, we aim to enhance community development and well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and connection by increasing the availability of nutritious food, distributing fresh produce within our community, and integrating it into our culture. We will achieve this by establishing vibrant urban gardens and farming environments, offering educational opportunities that empower individuals to produce and use fresh, sustainable produce efficiently, and by cultivating a new generation of farmers who are equipped to meet the challenges of the future. Together, we will create a more food-secure and resilient Dunedin, where everyone has access to nourishing food, and where the community thrives in harmony with nature.
FEED was founded by Kevin and Esther Gilbert, whose passion for sustainability and community-driven food security inspired them to create an initiative that would empower Dunedin’s residents and strengthen the local food system.
Our Vision
A community driven, resilient, and food secure Greater Dunedin.
Our Mission
- To enhance the food security and resilience of Dunedin and its broader community.
- To cultivate a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem of small to moderate-scale food production within urban areas, envisioning a cityscape dotted with diverse, community-driven urban gardens, including both community plots and innovative urban ‘farms’.
- To encompass a holistic educational approach, teaching our community about the entire food life cycle, including cultivation, harvest, food safety, efficient food utilisation, waste reduction, composting, and soil health.
- To inspire and empower a new generation of farmers, growers and food processors, nurturing their passion, knowledge, and skills, and guiding them into the food and agricultural industry.