Inaugural Organic Week NZ to be celebrated in Hawke's Bay

Linda Stuurman, Fleur Black, Joanna Watson, and Tina McOnie, from Cornucopia Organics, getting ready for Organic Week NZ. Photo/Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay residents will get a taste of organic products during the inaugural Organic Week NZ starting today.

Cornucopia Organics will be offering demonstrations, specials and tastings throughout the week to celebrate the initiative.

Owner Kay Keats said the week is held around the world but had never been held in New Zealand before.

"I think it's a great idea, there's so much more interest in organics in New Zealand now."

Ms Keats decided to join the initiative to help showcase the region's organic producers.

"We hope to be able to lift and promote organics in Hawke's Bay to the wider community.

"There are some amazing artisan producers and bigger growers in the region, which is awesome."

People should be supporting local organic producers throughout the year, not just during Organic Week NZ, to help make a difference, she said.

"The most important thing these days is to be buying local, reducing those food miles and the packaging that has to happen with products coming a long way."

Organic Week NZ aims to celebrate, educate and help the New Zealand public understand what organic means and what is available to them.

Some of the stalls at the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market and Chantal Organics in Napier will also be taking part in the event.

Visit www.organicweek.co.nz for more information.

Demonstrations and tastings at Cornucopia:

Monday 9am-11am - Trade Aid chocolate tasting

Monday 11am-2pm - Jo Duff from Kahikatea farms on seedlings, perennials and trees

Tuesday 11am-2pm - Le Petite Chocolat tasting

Tuesday 11.30am-1.30pm - Wright Sprouts showcasing sprouts, raw muesli, pizza bases and sprouted teas

Wednesday all day - Te Horo organic jams and spread tasting

Thursday 11am-2pm - Hohepa Homes organic cheese tasting

Thursday 11am-2pm - Setha's Seeds on seed saving and early garlic for sale

Thursday 12pm-3pm - Stonecroft Organic Wines tasting

Friday 11am-2pm Wright Sprouts again

Saturday (to be confirmed) - Bostocks Organic Chicken tasting