The Ministry of Agriculture’s World Food Day event at Terevete Park yesterday drew over 55 stallholders selling a variety of fresh produce, plants, and crafts.

This year, the Ministry did not sell any fresh produce in support of the local farmers who had stalls selling their vegetables and fruit.

The Ministry sold fruit trees, organic oils, and coconut plants only, and installed a booth to provide advice on invasive insects that impact negatively on plants and their health.

Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Secretary of Agriculture, said they recognise the importance of the farmers and the work they do in ensuring fresh vegetables and root crops are available for consumption, including livestock.

From Left: Terangi Elikana, Matangaro Mokoroa, Secretary of Agriculture - Temarama Anguna-Kamana and Jane Kora (in front) celebrate World Food Day. MELINA ETCHES/23101307

“Our women also play a crucial role selling their home-grown produce and creating meals for their households to ensure good nutrition,” she said.

“For all of this to be successful, water is vital. Thus, the proper use and management of this resource is important to us all.”

Climate Change Cook Islands and To Tatou Vai joined Agriculture this year to highlight their involvement in the proper management and conservation of water and how the climate is impacting on water resources.

Two schools also participated in the event, selling their vegetables grown from their school gardens.

The Cook Islands Chefs Association also arranged a sushi-making competition for the students and created soups utilising local produce to promote the theme of water.

Anguna-Kamana said the success of World Food Day also highlights “that we are recovering from the impacts of Covid”.

Maryanne Strickland (front) purchased unusual plants from Margaret Tangimetua’s stall at the Ministry of Agriculture World Food Day event. MELINA ETCHES/231013005

The farmers had beautiful tomatoes, cabbages, beans, watermelon, pawpaw, and a variety of fruit for sale.

She was also impressed with the variety of cooked food, flowers, plants, and vegetables available, which reflected the hard work the women have put in.

Every year at World Food Day, Mata Hetland buys fruit trees. This year, Hetland purchased more trees to plant on her daughter’s property.

“The variety of fruit trees is good this year,” said Hetland. “Last year, I bought the same trees, but only half of them have lived because I don’t really have green fingers, so here I am again.”

Maryanne Strickland visits the event every year to purchase “unusual” plants. She was happy to see new plants, which she purchased from Margaret Tangimetua.

Every year Mata Hetland buys fruit tree from the Ministry of Agriculture World Food Day event. MELINA ETCHES/231013004

Tangimetua has had a stall every year for the past five years.

“This event just gets better and better every year,” she said. “We have sold a lot of plants and vegetables that my sons grow. It’s been great. I would like to encourage more people to participate and bring along their produce and plants to sell next year.”

Matangaro Tuatai and her daughter Samantha had a beautiful variety of blooms, orchids, bromeliad, ferns, and pink ornamental banana trees for sale.

Ruta Pirangi (left) sells vegetables and kikau hats at the World Food Day event. MELINA ETCHES/23101302

Tuatai works full time and enjoys gardening at home.

“I love low-maintenance plants,” she said. “It’s a good de-stress. Gardening is my hobby. This event improves every year. It has been amazing.”

Maine Beniamina set up her booth for the first time to promote her daisy flowers, which she started planting two years ago.

“I love flowers and I love daisies to weave in my ei katu,” she said. “I started two years ago and cut and deliver when they are ordered.”

World Food Day is in celebration of the international day, which is acknowledged every year worldwide on October 16 to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945.