The Longwood Loop would be like an online farmers market. People will be able to see the people behind the food they are buying. It would also help during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, when the supermarkets would be out of stock, Guyton said. The Longwood Loop would help local growers connect with local buyers, without having outsiders take a big cut of the money, she said. The society hopes to buy an electric van as it will be a key item to make the project a reality. Members would travel in the area in a hope to provide food for some of the 7000 people who live in western Southland, Guyton said.
“This was inappropriate and I apologise, unreservedly, for this error of judgement.” He then informed committee chair Lyndal Ludlow that he would then leave the meeting. During the meeting, which was livestreamed, after Guyton apologises, the regional council chairman Nicol Horrell thanked Guyton for his apology. “Thank you for that very clear statement. I think that this is a timely reminder to us all when we are in leadership role that we have to be careful what we do, and I think it’s also indicates that we probably need to update our code of conduct so it is actually updated and user-friendly.”