Food Assistance Policy Clash (New Zealand): The Green Party is demanding answers after thousands were reportedly declined Special Needs Grants for food, arguing the “food is not an essential” decision leaves people without immediate support. Public Health Nutrition Push (Australia): Gippsland is rolling out a month-long “Get the Veg Edge” campaign urging residents to eat more vegetables, with messaging across billboards, buses, malls and social media. Food Safety Training (New Zealand): The government says free online “Food Safety Basics” modules are helping thousands of food business staff, with a new hygiene-focused module live and more modules planned for early next year. Refugee Food Support (Zimbabwe): Japan, via WFP, is funding about US$1.3m in food and nutrition aid for 11,000+ refugees at Tongogara as El Niño-linked drought risk approaches. Global Food Prices & Weather Risk: Coverage highlights El Niño’s potential to disrupt food supplies and keep pressure on prices, with UN-linked warnings that impacts could worsen through early 2027. South Africa Food System Debate: An op-ed argues South Africa’s hunger problem is less about scarcity and more about concentrated market power shaping access, prices and choices. Wine & Hospitality Spotlight: South Africa’s Vergelegen drew major acclaim at Tim Atkin’s Wines of the Year showcase, while Lisbon prepares for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World contest in October.