Lay summary
Community-based food systems integrate food production, processing, distribution and consumption in ways that enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place. Poor nutrition is a leading cause of health burdens and disease. ‘Food is medicine’ interventions can support disease management, prevention and optimal health. People in rural communities have nutrition insecurity challenges such as geographic isolation, limited retail food options, long distances to affordable shops, fewer charitable supports and financial pressures. We seek to analyse existing data, review literature and use digital data collection to explore food and nutrition insecurity in rural communities, and for Māori and Pasifika and other priority populations in rural Aotearoa. The information gathered through this Activation Grant will directly inform the development of a future project, focused on the ways community-based food initiatives and activities contribute to health prevention in rural New Zealand communities.