Organisers, South Island Dairying Development Centre (SIDDC) and Fonterra, hope that the free event will help provide perspective on broader aspects of sustainable food production, and encourage a wider understanding of the primary sector as a whole.
"Although New Zealand remains less densely populated than many overseas countries, most of us live in highly urbanised areas. This has removed many of the opportunities for consumers to experience the transformation of sunshine into food," says executive director of SIDDC, Ron Pellow.
The event will include nine outdoor educational demonstrations and displays taking people on the journey of 'turning sunshine into food'. A central marquee will offer information to the public, along with samples of a range of milk-based products, such as cheeses, yoghurt, milk drinks and ice creams.
"With a particular focus on dairy, we hope to show the extent the primary sector plays in our day-to-day lives. Almost every ingredient or item of food in the supermarket or at your local café has come from a farm, and so we think it's important that people can see the processes that get these products from the paddock to the plate," says Pellow.
The Friday before the open day will be a dedicated Schools' Day. Schools can register to bring their students along as part of an educational day out.
The Farm Open Day for the public is to be held on Saturday 22 November (1pm – 4pm).
More information on the event can be found at www.sunshine-into-food.co.nz
