The annual event, held in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), brought together 28 vendors selling root crops, vegetables, flowers, plants and crafts, alongside stalls promoting healthy eating and locally produced food.

Agriculture Secretary Temarama Anguna-Kamana said the event gave farmers an opportunity to showcase and sell their produce, with the aim of ensuring they could see the rewards of their hard work.

“For us at Agriculture, we’re here to support our farmers sell their produce and at the end of the day they go home satisfied that all their hard work has been bought by our customers that come,” Anguna-Kamana said.

Although this year’s turnout of vendors was smaller than usual, Anguna-Kamana said she was pleased with the support from those who took part, acknowledging that farmers had other commitments amid a busy year.

Vendors began setting up from 7am, with sales starting before the official 9am opening to allow people heading to work to stop and buy produce.

The Ministry of Agriculture also had seedlings and organic fertiliser products available, while Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health used its stall to share practical advice on balanced meals and the importance of eating more fruit and vegetables.

TMO clinical dietitian Nana Cuthers said the message was about helping people understand what a balanced plate should look like and how they could make healthier choices using familiar foods.

Her recommendation was to fill half a plate with vegetables, with one quarter made up of protein such as chicken or fish, and the remaining quarter consisting of carbohydrates such as taro or kumara.

Cuthers encouraged people to be mindful of portion sizes, explaining that traditional staples could still be part of a healthy meal when eaten in appropriate amounts.

She also encouraged people to eat more fruit and vegetables, pointing to findings from a 2022 non-communicable disease survey report that indicated low consumption among those surveyed.

“The idea here is to increase our food intake mainly on fruits and vegetables,” she said.

Cuthers said fruits and vegetables provided vitamins and minerals, while growing produce at home could make it easier for families to include more of them in their daily meals.

“If you have it in your garden, it’s even better.”

The stall also gave people an opportunity to learn more about food portions and the ingredients in their meals.

Cuthers said visitors had shown interest in the display, with some surprised by what they learned about their usual eating habits.

She also raised concerns about the shift towards processed foods and meals bought from cafes and takeaways, encouraging people to pay closer attention to what they consume.

Doctor Byron Fatiaki also shared that pulling away from sugary drinks is challenging for people, encouraging the public to be mindful and limit their fizzy drink intake.

“The advice would be to come completely off it but the lower calorie choices like zero, the only problem is with carbonated drinks, it can eat away at your enamel and that will create sensitivity in your teeth.”

The importance of healthy eating was also reflected in the stall run by the Advent Truth Ministry Church, which promotes health as part of its community outreach.

Church representative Mata Hetlandsaid the group encouraged plant-based eating and promoted what it called the eight laws of health, nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, fresh air, rest and trust in God.

The church sold plant-based foods including gluten patties made from wheat gluten and sweet-and-sour tofu, alongside local food such as taro, poke, pota and pinapi.

Hetland said the church had held workshops around Rarotonga to share its health message and used events such as World Food Day to reach more people.

“We’re not here to make money, we’re just here to promote it (healthy living),” she said.

For Anguna-Kamana, bringing food producers and health advocates together was an important part of the event, linking the work of farmers with the need for people to look after their health.

TMO’s presence complemented the focus on food, she said, adding that both areas supported each other.

Anguna-Kamana thanked Te Tapora Kai for allowing the Ministry to use the venue, as well as the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) and Tourism Cook Islands for supporting the event with prizes and other assistance.

She said planning for next year’s celebration would begin soon, with the Ministry hoping to include the Pa Enua in the event.