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.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
Graham Brown, the executive chef for Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), is excited about Korea.