The first-ever Underground Festival in New Zealand wrapped up with a feast celebrating the unique attributes of produce from land verified as regenerative. Regen to Market was proud to be at the heart of it!

Regen to Market’s mission as a co-sponsor of the festival and provider of the closing feast was to grow awareness among the 300 conscious consumers and advocates that it is now possible to access produce from farms verified as regenerative, highlight the role of this produce in health, and let the fantastic quality of regeneratively sourced produce speak for itself.

The festival was a true showcase of Regen to Market’s market connection—linking Ecological Outcome Verified (EOV) farms with those who care about authentic, regeneratively sourced food.

A feast that embodied regeneration

The festival culminated in a closing feast that genuinely showcased the principles of regenerative agriculture and the importance of this food to our future health. The menu featured:

• Speckle Park beef & lamb from Rathmoy Farm, an Ecological Outcome Verified (EOV) farm in the central North Island
• Slow-cooked for five hours by the talented team at Food by Fire
• Paired with organic salads & artisan bread from Bellbird Bakery

Every bite reflected the impact of verified regenerative farming, which nourishes both people and the planet. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with guests enjoying the meal and deepening their connection to and understanding of the farms producing truly regenerative food.

Regen to Market: Connecting farmers and consumers

Regen to Market is pivotal in linking farmers committed to regenerating their land with consumers seeking credible produce from land verified as regenerative. As a newly launched initiative, it is still in its early stages but growing steadily. The first delivery of Regen to Market produce is completely sold out! Currently:

• Over 500,000 hectares across 220 farms are eligible to supply through Regen to Market in New Zealand,  early days and growing
• Consumers can have confidence that they’re purchasing food from land that is verified as regenerating through the globally recognised EOV program
• The Regen to Market team was on-site at the festival, sharing insights, answering questions, and distributing information on how their work supports both farmers and consumers

Understanding Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV)

Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) is a science-based land verification method developed by the Savory Institute. It measures agricultural land’s health and regenerative progress over time, supporting farmers in actively improving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function.

Farms that achieve EOV status demonstrate measurable positive environmental outcomes, giving consumers confidence in the regenerative authenticity. Regen to Market connects these verified farms to buyers seeking trusted, regenerative food sources.

Ata Regenerative is proud to be the only certified Ecological Outcome Verification provider in New Zealand. Learn more about EOV here.

Transformative conversations at the Underground Festival

I joined 30+ speakers from Aotearoa and worldwide who covered various topics, including regenerative food systems, agroforestry, pasture and grazing management, soil microbiology, and soil health and its impact on human health.

In my panel discussion, I explained how Regen to Market, EOV, and Farmer’s Footprint NZ work together to transform farming and food consumption by restoring soils, enhancing biodiversity, and improving animal welfare.

I highlighted how Regen to Market ensures food from farms verified as regenerative reaches consumers with complete transparency, creating a trusted system that benefits farmers and buyers alike. At the festival’s vibrant closing, filled with smiles, long lines, and full bellies, I also introduced the feast, reinforcing that regenerative agriculture isn’t just a concept—it’s something tangible, delicious and sustainable.

The future of farming is regenerative

Industrial food production is causing the most significant health crisis humans have ever faced. We must make a drastic change if we are to restore our land while providing healthier outcomes for not only New Zealanders but also the world.

The enthusiasm from the various conversations my team and I had reflected the many people wanting to change the way we grow, shop, and eat. It’s time for your voices to be heard.

Regen to Market and Ata Regenerative teams were honoured to participate in this groundbreaking event, which brought diverse stories, ideas, people, and practices together at the source of our food.

A big thank you to Fran Bailey, her co-organisers, and the other sponsors for making this festival an inspiring gathering of changemakers, farmers, and food lovers.

We support farmers who are dedicated to regenerating the land and feeding communities with integrity.

Want to support the regenerative shift or learn how to source or supply EOV-verified produce through Regen to Market? Visit www.regentomarket.com for more information.

If you want to be among the first in New Zealand to enjoy Regen to Market produce, look for the Regen to Market seal or keep an eye out for our next delivery announcement listed on our website.