𝟕 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝐍𝐚𝐝𝐢, 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢. The Farm to Fork (F2F) Initiative united key figures from tourism, agriculture, and international organizations, focusing on sustainable food practices and stronger links between local farmers and Fiji’s hospitality sector. Keynote speakers included Mr. Tevita Cokanasiga from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ms. Joanne Young from UNFAO, and Mr. David Fournier from the Canadian High Commission, who underscored Fiji’s commitment to building a resilient, locally-driven food system.

𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Farm to Fork Overview: Ms. Fantasha Lockington, CEO of the Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association, emphasized F2F’s aim to connect Fijian farmers with hotels, reducing dependency on imports.

Panel Insights: Moderated by UNFAO’s Ms. Mere Taoi, panelists from the tourism and agricultural sectors—including Sheraton Fiji’s Sous Chef and representatives from local farms and procurement—discussed practical solutions to improve local food sourcing in tourism.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

Breakout Session: Participants discussed scaling the initiative and addressing challenges in supply logistics and partnerships.

Upcoming Suva Workshop and Legislation: A final session will be held in Suva to consolidate feedback, leading to policy recommendations for Cabinet approval. If endorsed, these will proceed to parliamentary legislation, aiming to institutionalize sustainable local sourcing within Fiji’s tourism industry.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬

Fiji Airways Partnership: Mr. Anish Lal announced Fiji Airways’ commitment to featuring local ingredients in-flight, showcasing Fijian cuisine internationally.

Closing Remarks: Mr. Saula Baleisuva from the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized the importance of the F2F Initiative and called for sustained collaboration to embed local sourcing practices across Fiji’s tourism sector.

This initiative is set to strengthen Fiji’s economy, promote local agriculture, and offer a model for sustainable tourism.

𝙀𝙉𝘿𝙎