Gold Sponsor Spotlight: Kete Ora Trust and the Science Behind Nutrient-Dense Food
2025 Organic Sector Market Report
Gold Sponsor Spotlight: Kete Ora Trust and the Science Behind Nutrient-Dense Food
An interview with Ross Vintiner, Kete Ora Trust
As a Gold Sponsor of the 2025 Organic Market Report, Kete Ora Trust isn’t just backing organic growth — they’re helping build the scientific foundation behind it. Their current research project, in partnership with Plant & Food Research, examines the relationship between food production and the nutritional value of the resulting food.
We spoke with Ross Vintiner from Kete Ora Trust about their ambitious research, the importance of collaboration, and what’s needed next to unlock the full potential of organic and biodynamic systems.
Can you tell us about the research project Kete Ora Trust is leading?
We're currently supporting a three-stage research programme, with Stage 1 underway now — a comprehensive literature review examining the impact of biodynamic, organic, and conventional systems on nutrient density in food. Plant & Food Research is leading the scientific work, and the early findings are already compelling.
What stands out most is how natural growing systems — organics and biodynamics — outperform conventional systems in producing soil organic matter. And that’s the key. Soil organic matter is where nutrients, root systems, and microbes interact. The more of it you have, the more robust and resilient your food production system becomes.
Why is this work important for the organic sector — and beyond?
Because it connects the dots between soil health, plant health, and human health, and supports this connection with science. What we’re seeing is that natural systems create environments rich in microbial life. Those microbes are crucial: they’re responsible for producing phytochemicals like polyphenols and antioxidants — compounds with well-documented health benefits.
This isn’t just good for consumers; it’s good for growers too. When microbes are doing the heavy lifting, farmers rely less on fertilisers. On our own certified organic olive farm, for example, we’ve already cut our fertiliser use by 50%. And we’re looking to go lower. Healthier soils mean more phytochemicals — and higher-value products. Many of our customers purchase our extra-virgin olive oil specifically for its high polyphenol content.
What are the key lessons coming through in the research so far?
One: natural systems build organic matter and support diverse soil biology; conventional systems do not. Two: phytochemical production is directly linked to that biology. Three: the economic benefits are real. You reduce inputs, increase resilience, and produce food that consumers are actively seeking.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway is that we can do this anywhere. These aren’t niche practices — organics and biodynamics, when done well, are replicable at scale. That’s what we want to help prove.
This sounds like a big undertaking for a small organisation. How is Kete Ora Trust approaching the next stage?
That’s exactly the point. We can’t do it alone. We’re not here to manage big projects — we’re here to catalyse them. Stage 1 has been open source and collaborative, and we want Stage 2 to be the same. We're actively seeking partners — funders, researchers, institutions — in New Zealand and globally.
We’ve already had interest from the US, Europe, and Australia. The next step is to delve deeper into the science. Why do these microbial-rich systems produce such potent phytochemicals? How can we use that knowledge to scale nutrient-dense food production worldwide? These are global questions, and we need global collaboration to answer them.
Where do you hope to see the organics sector in five years?
There are two things. First, we’re closely monitoring the progress of New Zealand’s GMO legislation. If it passes — and it likely will — it will challenge organic producers with burdens of proof and increased compliance costs. We’ll need to support growers through that.
Second, I’d like to see the full potential of this research realised and made freely available to farmers — a kind of open-source blueprint for nutrient-dense, biodiverse farming. That’s a lofty goal, but it’s achievable. The science is already showing us the way. Now we need the will and the partnerships to take it further.
How can people get involved?
Simple — get in touch. Whether you’re a funder, a research institution, or just someone who believes in the power of natural systems, we’d love to hear from you. This is a collaborative project with global potential. If we get it right, everyone benefits — producers, consumers, and the planet.
Learn more about the Organic Market Report and our sponsors at the online launch event on 5 June - Register Here >
To partner with Kete Ora Trust or learn more about the research, please visit: https://www.keteora.nz/our-work/nutrient-density-research-phase-1-report-released/
