Pacific Island Food Revolution set for international launch

A revolution starts with the minds – the Pacific Island Food Revolution is starting with Pacific people leading the way with their ancient and innovative food knowledge, a wealth of fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local farms and all in front of TV cameras.

The media-driven programme is about to be launched next month and is co-funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The programme is responding to a situation where Pacific island life expectancy has improved greatly over the last 25 years, but lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure account for a significant portion of premature deaths.

The official launch will take place at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, Fiji on 6 April with national and community Pacific leaders, with the first episode going to air on April 11.

The Pacific Island Food Revolution, developed by celebrity chef Robert Oliver, is headed by a reality TV cooking show, which features Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is strategic mix of behavioural sciences and entertainment. The show is supported with digital campaigns such as an online academy, digital storytelling and social media activities to bring about food awareness and encourage positive eating behaviours.

“For me, the answer to this situation has always been in the Pacific with the deep food knowledge that resides in every Pacific family and of course some of the best ingredients in the world,” says Chef Oliver.

The Pacific Island Food Revolution series has 12 episodes that will be broadcast to more than 20 TV channels in Pacific Island countries, as well as New Zealand and Australia.

“We have already started the social media campaign and have been humbled by all the responses from everyone cheering us on and asking for more information.”

The Pacific Island Food Revolution TV series features three teams of local cooks, who are filmed in their countries as they compete for the chance to represent their nation at regional finals in Fiji.

“The local contestants and the co-hosts are our first heroes in this revolution as they share their skills and experiences with the region,” says Oliver. “As we were filming, we felt that there was a unique Pacific essence that touched our hearts and I know the audience will feel the same way.”

The show co-hosts include The Princess Royal Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita from the Kingdom of Tonga, chef Dora Rossi from Samoa, food entrepreneur Votausi Reur-Mckenzie from Vanuatu, and Dr Jone Hawea from Fiji. UNICEF Ambassador Pita Taufatofa also joined the co-hosts for the finals.

The Revolution team is also creating digital food warriors around the Pacific and will provide training on digital storytelling later this year as well as online lessons that are related to each episode.

Providing strategic guidance to the Pacific Island Food Revolution is a Joint Steering Committee made up of national and regional health representatives from the Pacific, which will meet for the first time in Fiji on 6 April 2019.

There is also a network of organisations in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu that are monitoring the programme’s effectiveness. This network is being overseen by behavioural economists from Busara Centre. Barriers to healthy eating such as convenience, taste and aordability are some of the areas the Revolution tries to address.

The TV series is produced by Pacific Island Productions based in Auckland.

Similar in-country launch events are being mirrored in participating countries of Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa. Their events will follow the Suva launch on the 6th April.

Social Media Links Facebook: Pacic Island Food Revolution Twitter: @IslandFoodRev Instagram: @PacicIslandFoodRev Website: www.pacicislandfoodrevolution.com Hashtags: #islandfoodrev #islandfoodexchange #islandfoodwarriors

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