Become a Food Citizen
YOU are the answer to a fairer, healthier food system. Use your power and join the movement!
What is the Food Citizen Programme?
Want to help build a better, fairer food system — one where everyone has access to good kai that supports wellbeing and respects our planet? Start here.
The Food Citizen Programme is a series of eight simple steps to help you understand food systems and take action in your own life. It’s hands-on, eye-opening, and surprisingly empowering.
You hold the power — and it starts with one small step.
Why Become a Food Citizen?
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Support local growers and food producers
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Reduce waste and make the most of what you have
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Build resilience in your community
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Help ensure everyone has access to good food
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Be part of the solution to climate and food system challenges
How to Get Involved
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Work your way through the eight steps below — solo or with friends.
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Jot down some notes, reflections, or actions for each one.
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Email us at foodsecurenorthcanterbury@gmail.com with what you learned or did.
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We’ll send you an official Food Citizen certificate!
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Want to do it as a group? We’d love to help — get in touch here.
Step 1: Do a Food Waste Audit
Action: Conduct an audit of the food waste you generate at home or in your work place.
Explore: How to Do a Food Waste Audit at Home
Reflect: What surprised you most about your food waste? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 2: Visit a Local Farmers Market
Action: Buy something from a local producer. Ask them where and how they grow food — and why they do it.
Explore: FSNC Map – Farmers Markets
Reflect: Who did you meet and what did you buy? Take a photo or jot down your experience. Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 3: Learn About Mana Whenua Food Practices
Action: Discover who the mana whenua are in your area. What are some of their traditional food ways and places?
Explore: Your local library
Reflect: How could you acknowledge or honour these practices in your life? (e.g. importance of Mahinga Kai Mahinga Kai spaces, practices & species.) Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 4: Go on a Local Food Treasure Hunt
Action: Ask a supermarket, café, or retailer if they serve or stock local food.
Explore: FSNC Map – Local Food Retailers & Hospitality
Reflect: What did you learn about how local food is (or isn’t) prioritised? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 5: Start or Improve Your Composting
Action: Choose a system — bokashi, worm farm, or compost bin — and start turning scraps into soil.
Explore: FSNC Map – Composting Initiatives
Reflect: What’s been the best part of composting? What challenges did you face? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 6: Volunteer in Your Community
Action: Spend time volunteering with a food rescue organisation or food bank.
Explore: FSNC Map – Food Rescue & Food Banks
Reflect: What did you learn about food insecurity in your community? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 7: Grow some of your own food or volunteer at your local community garden or food forest.
Action: Could be as simple as some herbs in a pot or you could start a new vegetable bed, plant and look after some berries or a fruit tree.
Explore: FSNC Map – Seeds, Plants & Nurseries
Reflect: What were your successes? What would you try differently next time? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Step 8: Celebrate Your Success
Action: Create a meal that includes elements from the steps above and share it with friends or whānau.
Reflect: How will you inspire others to become Food Citizens? Go to Food Citizen Reflection Workbook here to record your answers.
Suggestions: Write a short blog post, host a meal, or share your journey online.