Sustainability, health for family and home

Down to Earth Expo event manager Dayna Comeskey says more than 100 exhibitors will be at the first event this weekend. Photo / Andrew Warner

More than 100 exhibitors will be at the Bay of Plenty's first dedicated sustainability and healthy living event - the Down to Earth Expo, which starts this weekend.

Event manager Dayna Comeskey said sustainability was no longer a niche market as mainstream consumers looked for more information and product alternatives.

The event was the perfect opportunity to bring together a great range of sustainable options and experts under one roof, she said.

"There are so many of these products available and the expo is making them easily accessible to Bay residents."

Feedback from exhibitors and the community had been positive with plans afoot to hold the next expo in September, next year, she said.

Meanwhile, this weekend's Down to Earth Expo would showcase everything from sustainable building and renovation options to the latest food, beverage and health products and alternatives for the garden and pets.

An array of guest speakers, including celebrity chef Peter Blakeway, who was passionate about local fresh produce, making good food choices and cutting down on food waste would share their knowledge alongside numerous workshops, Ms Comeskey said.

Holistic Vets director Dr Liza Schneider would discuss how to get animals healthy and keep them healthy.

Feeding heavily processed and carbohydrate rich foods with poor quality ingredients can undermine the health and well-being of carnivorous animals like dogs and cats, she said.

"Having a good understanding of basic things that can make a big difference to health and wellbeing is an invaluable investment," she said.

"Poor nutrition and lifestyle are factors that are playing a bigger and bigger role in chronic health issues like allergies, skin conditions, persistent infections, arthritis and other health conditions.

"We commonly treat animals from all across New Zealand with stubborn health issues and many of them improve with a simple change in diet or lifestyle."

Lots of tender loving care and regular exercise were important for animals, she said.

"Having a pet is a responsibility and those pets that are well looked after generally enjoy a greater quality of life and may even suffer from fewer diseases."

Other speakers included Ionza director Joseph Blessing, who would talk about how to manage internal body pH to improve vitality and prevent illness, while topics tackled over the two-day period by other experts included staying healthy naturally, climate reality, waste-free parenting, sustainable homes, worm-farming and home heating.

Attendees would also be able to go into the draw at the expo to win a Solar City Ultimate Eco Home Package worth up to $15,400.

The prize package includes a Solar City solar system, sized to meet the winner's power needs, an Adam Taylor Architecture home-star performance consultation and Holistic Vets $400 pet prize pack (terms and conditions apply).

Meridian Energy Speaker & Workshop Series

Saturday

11am - Staying Healthy Naturally

Noon - The Climate Reality

1pm - Waste Free Parenting

2pm - Sustainable Homes

3pm - Global Worming, Not Global Warming

Sunday

11am - Learn To Make Organic Bread

Noon - Alkaline Your Life For Better Health

1pm - Sustainable Healthcare For Our Pets

2pm - Healthy Eating & Food Waste

3pm - Home Heating 101