Every Bite hui builds momentum for 2025
This November provided a valuable opportunity for Every Bite Hubs, project team, and partners to spend time together in person at a two-day hui in Pōneke, Wellington.
Highlights of the hui included whakawhanaungatanga, sharing ideas, and learning from each other. Every Bite welcomed six new Hubs to the project, who will each deliver a four-week pilot programme in February, ahead of a consolidated delivery focus in May.
General Manager at Zero Waste Network Dorte Wray explained how Every Bite aligns with the strategic direction and kaupapa of the network, and Project Manager Rachel Glasier offered context and detail on the goals of the project.
Returning facilitators Toby Butland, from Wastebusters, and Michelle Kang, from Sustainable Hawke’s Bay, shared their successful approach of combining inspiration with learning. They highlighted the importance of creating warm, welcoming spaces, and offering some kai, so participants can connect, feel empowered, and make their own choices around what actions to focus on.
New in 2025 will be the opportunity to try Every Bite online, guided and facilitated by Nic Turner of Mainstream Green. This flexible format will offer a supportive learning option for participants who aren’t able to attend in person. There will be a limited number of spots available in February’s online programme pilot - get in touch if you're interested.
Group photo from the hui. Back row: Safe Wongsunopparat (Every Bite Evaluator), Helene Malandain (five & dime), Robyn Forryan (Kaipatiki Project), Rachel Glasier (Every Bite Project Manager), Lucretia Charan (CBEC/Tiaki Taiao/Ecosolutions), Kathy Wright (CBEC/Tiaki Taiao/Ecosolutions). Middle: Lauren Beattie (Gizzy Kai Rescue), Sophie Ward (Wastebusters), Lucci Hennah (Seagull Centre), Amber Galea (Beautification Trust), Michelle Kang (Sustainable Hawke’s Bay), Dawn Tuffery (Every Bite). Front: Ali Northern (five & dime), Irene Chapple (Better Aotearoa), and Toby Butland (Wastebusters).
Impact Evaluator Safe Wongsunopparat presented a session on the importance of integrating monitoring, learning, and evaluation into the programme. This process measures the outputs, outcomes and impact of the Every Bite initiative, and ultimately helps us understand how the programme can contribute to broader change in reducing food waste across communities.
Communications and behavior change were a primary focus on the second day, led by project partners five & dime, and Wastebusters’ Gina Dempster. Hubs discussed their local communities, and what they felt would and wouldn’t resonate with the different groups they hoped to reach.
Also on the agenda was a planning session for an Every Bite national campaign to support the May 2025 programme, guided by five and dime and Better Aotearoa.
Gizzy Kai Rescue and the Tairāwhiti Environment Centre are excited about the potential outcomes of delivering this project in the Gisborne region, says Gizzy Kai Rescue Manager Lauren Beattie.
‘Attending the Every Bite hui in November provided further insight into the behavior change that Every Bite can deliver. This will undoubtedly be a win for our community.’
Hearing from the team leading Every Bite and a couple of the Year One Hubs was incredibly valuable, said Beattie. ‘Their learnings and insights will be a great help in our ongoing efforts.’
Next, the focus shifts to supporting the six new Hubs who will be piloting the programme in February 2025. This pilot phase will test several aspects of the programme, offering an opportunity to experiment and adapt aspects to fit the needs of each local community. If you’re keen to participate in February 2025, or learn more about Every Bite, get in touch here.
If you’re interested in learning more about the programme, Every Bite’s Year One Report has just been completed, offering background and insights into the programme’s first year. Click here to read.
Every Bite is delivered by the Zero Waste Network in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment.