Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
Consumers are more concerned about plastic packaging than sustainable food production.
That’s the findings of a recent New Zealand consumer study. A partnership between life science company Bayer and the NZ Nutrition Foundation (NZNF) released the insights from its inaugural Bayer Food Focus Project, which looks into NZers’ eating behaviours and food consumption.
Findings from the survey indicate that respondents identified the amount of plastic packaging as their top concern when making decisions to buy food and beverages. Some 42% of respondents rated it as ‘extremely’ or ‘very important’. However, this figure dropped substantially when respondents were asked about environmental sustainability.
Only 27% identified that knowing their food was produced in an environmentally sustainable way (including organic) was ‘extremely’ or ‘very important’. Furthermore, only 21% found the use of modern farming techniques to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very important’ when making buying decisions.
The study also highlighted that older participants were less likely to rank environmental sustainability as an important factor when deciding on food. 45% of people aged 15-34 years stated that food being produced in an environmentally sustainable way was either 'very' or 'extremely important' to them, compared to only 29% of those aged 55 years or more.
The project consisted of two key parts: the first Australasian pilot study conducted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT), using the new innovative Veggie Meter device to establish a benchmark of Kiwis’ vegetable and fruit consumption via a fingertip scan; and an online questionnaire with 1346 adult respondents, to understand which foods New Zealanders are most commonly consuming and why.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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