"Life Optimization Guide: An Inward Perspective"
At this year's Reforest Fest, held at the Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, Wellness Warehouse and the event's organiser adopted an ethos of "Let food be thy medicine". This philosophy aligns with the Blue Zone phenomenon, geographic areas known for lower rates of chronic diseases and longer life expectancy, where common daily habits include natural movement, a strong focus on community and connection, and a diet rich in plant-based, whole foods.
The partnership between the organisers and Wellness Warehouse aimed to revolutionise the Food Village at Reforest Fest, focusing on four main pillars: promoting healthier food choices, supporting local farmers, reducing transport emissions, and adopting a holistic approach to natural health.
Wellness Warehouse, a leading organic food retailer in South Africa with over 50 stores, played a significant role in the event. Festivalgoers were treated to a variety of delicious, wholesome meal options served by vendors, including vegan cupcakes, brownies, samoosas, pizzas, wraps, smoothies, and more. The Wellness Food Village curated a diverse array of vendors serving meal options consisting of plant-based local, seasonal, and ethical produce.
The partnership between the organisers and Wellness Warehouse also aimed to expand Wellness Warehouse's reach through new store openings domestically and internationally, enhancing access to ethical, natural, and organic products. The strategy included accelerating growth in consumer health businesses with a strong emphasis on natural, organic, and ethical product sourcing and distribution to promote healthier communities.
Local flavours were celebrated on Sunday afternoon at Reforest Fest with the Sunday Harvest Feast, while three live cooking demos from foodies Love Kos Mos, Sunshine Food Co., and The Root Den taught festivalgoers new recipes to switch up their next home-cooked meal. The event also partnered with local farms in the Overstrand Region to source seasonal and local produce. Shopping seasonally has multiple benefits, including reducing carbon emissions, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable farming practices.
The partnership between the organisers and Wellness Warehouse emphasises scaling retail presence of Wellness Warehouse stores locally and in Africa, expanding availability of ethical, natural, and organic health products, adopting and promoting a holistic natural health and wellness approach to create healthier communities, and leveraging strategic capital and expertise to accelerate growth within the wellness industry.
While there is no direct detailed mention of a specific food revolution curriculum or plant-based training program linked to Wellness Warehouse, their focus on natural and organic products aligns with promoting healthier food choices. Their comprehensive approach targets making wellness accessible through retail expansion, strategic partnerships, and ethical product offerings.
The Blue Zone phenomenon currently includes Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya, Costa Rica. The Reforest Fest partnership with Wellness Warehouse is a step towards promoting a similar lifestyle in South Africa, encouraging a focus on natural movement, a purpose for rising each day, a strong focus on community and connection, enjoying a glass of good quality wine each day, eating until one is 80% full, with a focus on healthy, whole and plant-based foods.
- Reforest Fest, held at the Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, promotes an approach of "Let food be thy medicine", aligning with the Blue Zone phenomenon.
- The Food Village at Reforest Fest focuses on healthier food choices, local farmers, reduced transport emissions, and holistic natural health.
- Wellness Warehouse, a leading organic food retailer, played a significant role in the event, offering vegan and plant-based meal options.
- The Wellness Food Village curates diverse vendors to serve meals made from local, seasonal, and ethical produce.
- The partnership between the organizers and Wellness Warehouse aims to expand Wellness Warehouse's reach domestically and internationally.
- The Sunday Harvest Feast at Reforest Fest celebrates local flavors and promotes shopping seasonally, with benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and biodiversity preservation.
- The event partners with local farms for sourcing seasonal produce, encouraging sustainable farming practices.
- The partnership between the organizers and Wellness Warehouse targets retail expansion, strategic partnerships, and ethical product offerings for wellness.
- The promotion of healthier food choices at Reforest Fest aligns with Wellness Warehouse's focus on natural and organic products.
- The Blue Zone lifestyle, promoted at Reforest Fest, includes natural movement, community focus, a moderate approach to drinks, portion control, and a emphasis on plant-based foods.
- By adopting these principles, Reforest Fest aims to create healthier communities, in line with the Blue Zone phenomenon.
- The partnership also emphasizes eco-friendly restoration efforts, demonstrating a commitment to the environment and sustainability.
