Food PolicyDiscussion PaperCity of Greater Geelong

Healthy Together Geelong, funded by the Victorian Government, is improving the health of our community.

Contents

1. Introduction 2

2. Why have a food policy? 4

3. Geelong’s food system 5

4. Food and health 6

5. Food safety 7

6. Food security 8

7. Food and the environment 9

8. Food and the local economy 10

9. Food and culture 11

10. The City of Greater Geelong’s role 12

11. What is the City of Greater Geelong 12already doing?

12. Have your say 13

13. Glossary 14

1. Introduction

Food affects all of us in the City of Greater Geelong in many different ways. It influences our health and wellbeing, it shapes our environment, it is central to our interactions in families and communities and it is a vital part of our local economy.

The City of Greater Geelong is developing a food policy to address the multiple ways in which food impacts our lives and to strengthen the region’s food system.

Geelong’s food system faces some challenges. The way many of us eat is undermining our health, some people in the region don’t have enough nutritious food and food production in the region faces increasing pressures from climate change and the loss of fertile agricultural land.

Geelong has some unique assets that we can draw on to address these challenges. The region has a diverse range of local farms and food producers, a vibrant seafood industry and an emerging food tourism sector. Geelong also has a strong base of grassroots and community groups that have worked for many yearsto improve access to healthy food in the region and to establish a network of community gardens.

This paper discusses six key themes related to food inGeelong.

1. Food and health2. Food safety3. Food security4. Food and the environment5. Food and the local economy6. Food and culture

We now have an opportunity to build on the region’s strengths and develop a vision for a strongerfood system – a food system that supports local food producers and increases the availability and accessibility of healthy, sustainably produced food.

2

ARMSTRONG CREEK

CHARLEMONT

This discussion paper is the first step in developing theCity of Greater Geelong’s food policy. Council passed a resolution in October 2012 to develop a food policy as part of the Geelong Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017. This paper summarises the issues, challenges and opportunities that the policy might address.

This discussion paper is also the beginning of a conversation with the broader community about food in Greater Geelong. We all have a role to play in strengthening our food system and the City ofGreater Geelong intends to work in partnership with businesses, organisations and individuals in the wider community to bring about this change.

Food is everyone’s business, so we’d like to hear what you think is important for the City of Greater Geelong’s food policy. Get involved and have your say.

Food is everyone’s business, so we’dlike to hear what you think is important for the City of Greater Geelong’s food policy

There are questions at the end of each section inthe discussion paper. You may wish to answer these questions in your feedback, or perhaps respond to a particular area of interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

BELL POST HILL

HAMLYN HEIGHTS

BELL PARK

NORLANE

NORTH GEELONG

NORTH SHORE

RIPPLESIDE

STAUGHTON VALE

HERNE HILL

FYANSFORDGEELONG

WEST

DRUMCONDRA

BALLIANG

NEWTOWN

GEELONG EAST GEELONG

HIGHTONNEWCOMB

WANDANA HEIGHTS

BELMONTWHITTINGTON

LITTLE RIVERST ALBANS

PARK

ANAKIE

GROVEDALE

LARA

POINT WILSON

MOORABOOL

LOVELY BANKS

AVALON

CORIO

BATESFORD

FYANSFORD

PORTARLINGTON

BELLARINEINDENTED

HEAD

CLIFTON SPRINGS

CERES

MOOLAP

CURLEWIS DRYSDALE ST LEONARDS

WAURN PONDS

MOUNT DUNEED

GROVEDALE

LEOPOLD

WALLINGTON MARCUS HILL

MANNERIM

SWAN BAY

CONNEWARRE

BARWON HEADS

OCEAN GROVE POINT

LONSDALE

1.1 About this discussion paperGeelong Suburbs

BREAMLEA

3

2.1 What is a food policy?A food policy is a decision or course of action that affects how food is produced, distributed and consumed. Cities around the world are beginning to develop broad food policies that aim to strengthen their local food systems. These broad food policies consider different aspectsof food, such as its impacts on health, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Cities that have developed food policies include London, New York, and Melbourne, as well as smaller cities, such as Bristol in the West of England and Malmo in Sweden.

The City of Greater Geelong is developing a food policy to:

` Foster a thriving, equitable, healthy and sustainable food system

` Celebrate the diversity of local food production and the economic opportunities of further developing the sector

` Improve the availability and accessibility of nutritious food in the region

` Provide a framework for Council that guides action to improve the local food system

Why have a food policy?The food that we eat in Geelong comes from all over Australia and many other parts of the world via a complex global food system. This global food system is increasingly under pressure from health, environmental and economic challenges such as rising obesity rates, and the impacts of climate change.

The City of Greater Geelong recognises that it has an important role to play in leading efforts to strengthen the region’s food system and to ensure it is resilient into the future.

2.2 The Food SystemOur food system includes all the activities that happen‘from paddock to plate’ before our food reaches us. It includes activities like farming, food processing, and the transportation and selling of food. It alsoincludes organisations that make and sell food like food manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants, and it involves people like farmers and fishermen.

Our food system also includes all of us as people who buy and eat food. We have an influence on the food system through what we choose to eat, as well asthe way that we dispose of our food waste. The food system also influences the way that we eat through the types of food that are available to us, their cost and the way they are marketed.

THe Food SySTem

GROWING HARVESTING TRANSPORTING PROCESSING PACKAGING WHOLESALING RETAILING EATING DISPOSING

Growers use heavy

equipment to prepare soil, and plant and

maintain crops.

Farm workers gather the

ripened crop from the field using large machinery, harvesting

great quantitiesat once.

Transportation workers move

the food byair, truck, train, ship, or barge.

Transporting may happen

at many steps and for very long hauls.

Food processors use factory

equipment tochop, grind, dry,

boil, can, or freeze food to preserve it or

to make it more convenient.

Workers operate

machinery to put food into cans, bags,

boxes, or other containers for

sale. The packaging

protects food and helps

sell it.

Wholesalers sell and

distribute large

quantities of foods to stores.

Retailers sell foods to

customers, usually in

supermarkets, grocery

stores, or other stores.

People buy, prepare, and eat the food.

People discard leftover food

and packaging. While most is recyclable or compostable,

much of itends up in landfills.

Adapted from Nourish Curriculum Guide © WorldLink Developed by the Center for Ecoliteracy

4

6 World Health Organization (March, 2013) Overweight and Obesity: Fact Sheet No. 311. (March 2013).

Greater Geelong has a thriving seafood and fishing industry

3. Geelong’s food systemGreater Geelong is a diverse food region. It includes rich areas of food production, such as seafood and wineries on the Bellarine Peninsula and the Vietnamese market gardens at Lara. It has extensive seafood and fishing industries based at Corio and Port Philip Bays1, a competitive food manufacturing sector and areas of emerging food tourism.

This strong base of local food production and processing offers exciting opportunities for the City of Greater Geelong to better link activities and industries across the food system in order to strengthen the resilience of the overall system. There are also

environmental pressures on food production, high rates of overweight and obesity and reducing food insecurity.

A key aim of developing a broad food policy for the City of Greater Geelong is to identify objectives and initiatives that will enable the region to seize the opportunities while addressing the challenges. For example, how can access to nutritious foods be increased at the same time as creating new markets for local food producers? The following sections describe the challenges and opportunities in more detail.

How could Geelong best respond toopportunities to develop a strong identity for the City of Greater Geelong as a unique food region and to improve access to locally produced food by better connecting local food producers and manufacturers with residents and visitors.

There are challenges to be addressed in strengthening the region’s food system. They include economic and

Haveyoursay

the challenges facing the region’s food system?What are some of the opportunities for Geelong’s food system?

1 Trestrail et al. (2013) Agriculture and fisheries in the Geelong region of Victoria. Canberra, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

5

4.

Food and health

Only 4% of people in Greater Geelong eat enough fruit and vegetables per day

Our health and wellbeing is closely linked to what we eat. In fact, unhealthy eating is the single biggest contributor to poor population health and more significant than smoking, physical inactivity or alcohol consumption2.

Many of us eat too much food, particularly foods containing large amounts of fat, sugar and salt, and we don’t eat enough wholegrains, fruits and vegetables. Only 4% of people in Greater Geelong eat enoughfruit and vegetables per day,3 and rates of fruit and vegetable consumption in the region are falling.4

Over half of us in Greater Geelong are also overweight or obese, and levels of obesity and overweight have risen in the region over the last few years.5 Obesity and overweight are linked to a range of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and some cancers.6

Our food choices are influenced by many factors, including level of income, the availability of food, how easy it is for us to access and prepare food and food marketing. A key challenge is to improve the region’s food supply so that ‘the healthy choice is the easy choice’. The City of Greater Geelong has already committed to increasing access to nutritious food in the Geelong Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-17. The development of the food policy provides an opportunity to create an action plan to achieve this goal.

Actions to improve the supply and access of healthy food could include making healthy, locally produced food available from a wider variety of food outlets, such as small retail stores, public markets and at the farmgate. Community food production could also be supported, and community gardens and food swaps could be encouraged in areas where they do not currently exist.

Case study: Port Produce Market, PortarlingtonPort Produce Market opened in 2009 as a partnership between Portarlington Primary School and Bellarine Community Health. It is held at the Portarlington Primary School every Friday morning with three fruit and vegetable stalls and one flower stall. The market offers affordable, quality fruit and vegetables and has increased access to healthy foods in the area.

Port Produce Market

Have your say

What are some of the challenges to healthy eating in the City of Greater Geelong?What would make it easier to grow,buy and eat healthy foods in the City ofGreater Geelong?

5.

Food safety2 Ng M and Fleming T, Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet. May 2014.3 Department of Health (2013) Victorian Population Health Survey 2011-12: Selected preliminary findings.4 VHISS (2008) Victorian Health Information Surveillance System data for 2008.6 5 Department of Health (2013) As above.

6.

Food security

Food safety is essential to our health and important for public trust in the food system. We expect the food that we buy to be wholesome and safe to eat. The provisionsof the Food Act 1984 require councils to ensure the safety of food and minimize risk to the community.

As our food system has become more complex, new food safety challenges have emerged that are related to new ways of producing, preparing, storing and selling foods.7 The City of Greater Geelong has respondedto these evolving food safety challenges, including those related to donated foods, an increasing variety of community food events and the use of domestic kitchens for food production. Consumers have alsobecome more aware of food safety issues,8 and concerns about food allergies have grown. Australia has one of the highest rates of food allergies in the world.9

The City of Greater Geelong has good systems in place to promote a high standard of food safety and continuously explores new ways to improve food safety in the region. However, it is estimated that around five million Australians suffer food poisoning each year and that many of these cases could have been prevented with the right measures in place.10

The City of Greater Geelong provides general advice to the community on how to handle food safely and also has a responsibility to ensure that food businesses and services in the municipality meet food hygiene and safety obligations. Environmental Health Officers from Council regularly inspect and monitor food businesses and other types of food services, as well as responding to public queries and Government food recalls. Councilalso delivers food safety education programs for people who handle food as part of their work or in delivering community food services.

Food producers and businesses that adopt new ways to sell direct to local consumers and businesses may need to meet new food safety requirements. These businesses may require different types of assistanceor training in future to help them take advantage of the opportunities offered by new local markets. The natureof the food industry has also changed. Previously, most

A typical community hall kitchen

Case study: Use of kitchens in community buildingsThere has been a shift in the use of kitchens in community buildings, like public halls and neighbourhood houses, from use by a single group to use by multiple groups for different purposes. The City of Greater Geelong audits kitchensin community buildings to ensure consistent food safety standards and to determine the capacity of food production that can be accommodated within the premises.

These kitchens allow community groups to prepare large amounts of food safely for fundraising and cultural events, and they can be hired by home-based food businessesto prepare food safely for sale at markets and events. The City of Greater Geelong is aware of the importance of these kitchens as places of social connectedness for residents and is committed to educating groups on the importance of food safety and assisting them to meet the standards.

What food safety challenges do you

commercial food production was done in kitchens specifically fitted out for that purpose. However, there is an ongoing trend to commercial food productionin other facilities like public halls, registered domestic kitchens and temporary sites. Changes in legislation have been introduced to enable this new direction in food production to evolve, while ensuring that risks are

managed appropriately.

Haveyoursay

5.

Food safetyface as a consumer, producer or food business? H ow could the City of Greater Geelong

best assist you to improve food safety?

7 WHO (2002) WHO global strategy for food safety: safer food for better health. World Health Organisation.8 FSANZ (2007), Consumer attitudes survey 2007: a benchmark survey of consumers’ attitudes to food issues. Food Standards Australia New Zealand.9 NSW Food Authority, Food Allergy and Intolerance. Sydney: NSW Food Authority. 710 OzFoodNet (2010) Monitoring the incidence and causes of diseases potentially transmitted by food in Australia. Annual report of the OzFoodNet Network 2010.

6.

Food security

Rates of food insecurity in some vulnerable population groups within the region are as high as 19-40%

There is an abundance of food in the City of Greater Geelong, and most people in the region have regular access to enough safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to meet their dietary needs. This is also called ‘food security’.11

However, some people in the City of Greater Geelongdo not have access to enough safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate food and experience food insecurity.Factors affecting peoples’ level of food security include their income, how far they live from food outlets, the availability of transport to food outlets and their food knowledge and skills.

People most vulnerable to food insecurity are those on low incomes, frail and aged people, newly arrived migrants and refugees, indigenous Australians, single parent families, homeless people and people with disabilities.12

Rates of food insecurity in the City of Greater Geelong are slightly lower overall than the state average. However, pockets of food insecurity exist within the region. Mapping surveys suggest that people living in these areas tend to have limited access to fresh food outlets and a high density of fast food takeaways.13

Rates of food insecurity in some vulnerable population groups within the region are as high as 19-40%.14

Findings from a Market Basket Survey indicate that some households in the region would need to spend over 30% of their income in order to eat a healthy diet, which can make it difficult to meet other expenses like rent and utilities in an already tight household budget.15

Having access to adequate food is a basic human right that is recognised in the United Nations Declarationof Human Rights16, and the City of Greater Geelong recognises that it has an important role to play in

the Food Security Network, established in 2009, and the Geelong Food Assistance Network, established in 2013, as well as grass roots groups like ‘2 & 5’ (see case study below). These groups emphasize that demand for food assistance in the region continues to rise, and they stressthat solutions to food insecurity need to address underlying causes and should not be limited to providing emergency food assistance.

Initiatives to address food insecurity could include:` assisting communities to develop their own solutions

to increase access to affordable, healthy food

` supporting social enterprises that aim to increase access to affordable, healthy food

` providing community transport for people to get to local fresh food outlets

` encouraging the establishment of community gardens, food markets, mobile fresh food outlets and food swaps17

There may also be opportunities to increase access to affordable, healthy food by sourcing food fromlocal producers. However, farmers in the region could experience financial pressures if food prices are pushed too low, so a key challenge is to identify solutions that deliver both affordable prices for consumers and fair prices for farmers.

2 & 5 Fresh Food Shop

Case Study: 2 & 5, Northern suburbs of Geelong2 & 5 is a social enterprise established to improve food security in the Northern Suburbs of Geelong by increasing options tobuy healthy, affordable and sustainable food. 2 & 5 has a shop and café that source food from local back yards, local growers and wholesalers. It also runs community food swaps, has a market garden and makes a range of jams and chutneys that are sold at regional markets to subsidise the shop.

What opportunities are there to increase

addressing food insecurity within the region.

There is also a strong community-based effort in Geelong to highlight and address food insecurity. This includes

Haveyoursay

food security for Greater Geelong residents?What could organisations and businesses do to improve access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods?

7.

Food and the environment11 Vichealth: Healthy Eating Food Security Investment Plan 2005-10, Vichealth Carlton, Victoria.12 Vichealth (as above).13 Stirrat, A (2012) Food Security – Building the Local Picture: A Needs Assessment Report.14 Stirrat, A (2012) (as above).15 Stirrat, A (2012) (as above).8 16 United Nations General Assembly (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights, New York, UN.17 VicHealth (2010) Ten ways local government can act on food security, Melbourne, Victoria.

8.

Food and the local economy

The global food system is under pressure from growing environmental challenges:` The natural resources that food production depends on

(e.g. land, water and oil) are in increasingly short supply18

` Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on food production due to an increase in extreme weather events, such as floods and storms, and a decrease in the availability of water19

` The way that we produce, consume and dispose of food has damaging effects on the environment20

Geelong’s food system is vulnerable to each of these environmental pressures:` A significant amount of farmland has been lost in

the region over the last 20 years, and there is pressure on farmland from continued population growth21

` Less water is likely to be available for food production in

South-Eastern Australia in future due to climate change22

` Climate change is likely to make our food system in South-Eastern Australia less resilient and may reduce the amount of food that farmers are able to produce23

The way that food is produced and consumed in the region can have negative impacts on the environment. Farming practices in the region have been linked with damage to land and river systems, as well as loss of biodiversity.24 Agriculture is also responsible for around17% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.25

Food waste has been identified as an issue for Geelong.26 Around a third of food is wasted in the global food system,27 and around 36% of rubbish from the typical Victorian household is food waste.28

This food waste generates greenhouse gas emissions as it decomposes in landfill, and it also represents a waste of the resources used to produce food.29 There are nosignificant initiatives to reduce household food waste or food waste from local producers in Geelong.30

Environmental pressures on the food system and impacts of the system both need to be addressed in

Around 36% of rubbish from the typical Victorian household is food waste

Another opportunity to improve the resilience of the region’s food systems is to encourage an increase in local food production. This includes both commercial production that uses sustainable farming practicesand production in backyards and community gardens. Strategies could also be implemented to reduce food waste, and to encourage awareness within the region of the benefits of consuming local, seasonal and sustainably produced foods.

Case study: Ravens Creek FarmRavens Creek Farm is a small scale, mixed farm in Moriac. They practice sustainable land management principles, use natural farming methods and compost food waste on farm. Ravens Creek Farm raises Devon beef cattle, heritage breed pigs and chickens. They grow a wide range of ‘pick your own’ berries and also produce pomegranates, cherries, vegetables, bush foods and honey. They sell through a farm shop, deliver direct around the region and also use their produce in an on- farm café.

order to strengthen Geelong’s food system. An important strategy for addressing pressures on food production isto protect land and water resources in the region. The City of Greater Geelong Planning Scheme recognises the need to protect farmland in the region from development and to encourage sustainable farming

practices. Have your say

7.

Food and the environmentHow could sustainable food production and consumption be promoted in the region? How could food waste be reduced in

Greater Geelong?

18 Larsen, K., C. Ryan, and A.B. Abraham, Sustainable and secure Food systems for Victoria: What do we know? What do we need to know? 2008, Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL).19 PMSEIC (2010) Australia and Food Security in a Changing World. The Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council. Canberra, Australia. Also, Garnaut,(2008) The Garnaut Climate Change Review. Final report. Cambridge.20 Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, Victoria (2008) State of the Environment Report. 2008. Also Larsen et al (2008) As above.21 Cust, K Cuttler, R and Stirrat, A (2013) Food Access Needs Assessment. Healthy Food Connect – Geelong.22 Garnaut,(2008) The Garnaut Climate Change Review. Final report. Cambridge.23 Gunasekera, D., et al., Climate Change: Impacts on Australian Agriculture. Australian Commodities, 2007. 14(4). Also PMSEIC (2010) As above.24 Bellarine Peninsula Strategic Plan 2006-2016: Policies related to the Bellarine Peninsula. Also, City of Greater Geelong Environment Management Strategy 2013-2017.25 Garnaut,(2008) The Garnaut Climate Change Review. Final report. Cambridge.26 Cust, K, Cuttler, R and Stirrat, A (2013) Food Access Needs Assessment. Healthy Food Connect – Geelong.27 HLPE (2014) Food losses and waste in the context of sustainable food systems. A report by the The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. June 2014.28 Sustainability Victoria. Food waste in the garbage bin 2013: Summary. Melbourne: Sustainability Victoria.29 Stuart, T (2009) Uncovering the global food waste scandal. London: Penguin. 930 Cust, K,, Cuttler, R and Stirrat, A (2013) As above.

8.

Food and the local economy

34 Invest Geelong. Economic Development Unit, City of Greater Geelong.35 Trestrail et al. (2013) As above.36 Geelong Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-17.

10

Food and farming are an important part of Geelong’s economy. Almost 2000 people are employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the region and around 1,500 in food manufacturing. Agriculture in the region31 delivers around $320 million in economic value.32

The Geelong region has a diverse range of food production that includes poultry, lamb, beef, eggs and grains, as well as some dairy, vegetables, fruit and nuts. The region has a strong fishing and seafood industry, and Portarlington is one of the largest mussel growing areas in Australia.33 Geelong also has a number of significant food manufacturers that process poultry,beef and seafood, as well as a diverse range of niche food businesses.34

Tourism is also important to the Geelong region, particularly in areas like the Bellarine Peninsula, and food tourism is emerging with initiatives such as the Bellarine Taste Trail and a growing number of food and wine events.

There are pressures on farming and food manufacturing in the region. Many of the farms in the region are relatively small and have a turnover of less than $50,000a year.35 There are also a relatively high number of ‘hobby farms’ in the area that produce small amounts of food. The number of outdoor fruit and vegetable farmers inthe region decreased by 25% in the last 20 years and the number of sheep and cattle farmers decreased by33%.36 Manufacturing in the region has also come under pressure with a number of large manufacturers closing their doors, and there is a need to grow employment opportunities for people in the region.

There are opportunities to grow the contribution of food and farming to the local economy by developing the area’s identity as a region of diverse local food production and

Agriculture in the region delivers around $320 million in economic value

Sheep grazing near the Barwon River at Barwon Lamb

Case study: Barwon LambBarwon Lamb is a lamb producer situated on the banks of the Barwon River near Winchelsea. They run a herd of around 1200 ewes and lambs and have a ‘paddock to plate’ approach with an on-site butchery. They supply localrestaurants, shops and consumers, and deliver direct within the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsular and Surf Coast areas.

What opportunities exist to grow the

by better connecting food producers and manufacturers in the area with local residents, businesses and visitors. Strategies could be developed to support the many smaller producers and hobby farmers in the area, and infrastructure could be established that makes it easierto buy and sell locally produced food. Farmers may also need support to take advantage of the opportunities to participate in a stronger local food economy.

The number of outdoor fruit and

vegetable farmersinth

e region decreased by 25% in the last 20 years and the number of sheep and cattle farmers decreased by 33%

9.

Food and culture

43 Cust, K and Cutler, R (2013) As above.

Haveyoursay

contribution of food and farmin

g to thelocal economy?What would make it easier to buy and sell more locally produced food in the region?

31 Figures in this section refer to the Geelong agricultural region, which includes the shires of Surf Coast and Golden Plains, as well as Greater Geelong.32 Trestrail et al. (2013) Agriculture and fisheries in the Geelong region of Victoria. Canberra, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.33 Trestrail et al. (2013) As above.

Food plays a role in the way that we interact and express ourselves within families and communities. Communities and regions can develop their own distinct ‘food cultures’. Food cultures are influenced by many factors, including the marketing and availability of convenience foods and ‘fast foods’, as well as a broad range of social circumstances, including our cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The Wadawurrung People are the traditional owners and custodians of the Geelong area, and their original diet was based on seasonal sources of food gathered and hunted over a wide area, including shellfish and a variety of indigenous plants.37

Wadawurrung women also cultivated small plots of Murnong (also known as yam daisy), a type of indigenous sweet potato tuber.38

The City of Greater Geelong is a culturally diverse region.39

Around 10% of Greater Geelong’s residents speak a language other than English at home,40 and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are growing within the region.41 Some CALD communities may at times experience barriers to accessing affordable and culturally appropriate food within the Geelong region.42

Geelong is also a re-settlement area for newly arrived refugees, particularly in the Northern suburbs of the city, and some refugee communities also experience high rates of food insecurity.43 Migrant communities have had a significant role in food production within the region, particularly in Lara, where a group of Vietnamese migrants established market gardens in the 1980’s that havebecome an important centre of Asian vegetable production.

An important part of the food culture in the City of Greater Geelong is the festivals that highlight the region’s restaurants, wineries and fresh, local produce. The festivals include Tastes of Central Geelong, the Toast to the Coast Wine and Food Festival, PakoFesta and festivals celebrating the region’s fresh local produce, such as the Portarlington Mussel Festival and the Wallington Strawberry Fair.

Food cultures are dynamic and there is an opportunity to shape the food culture of the Geelong region to celebrate the diversity of the region’s food production and the cultural and linguistic diversity of its communities. Strategies could be explored for increasing accessto culturally appropriate foods, including initiatives to

Vietnamese market gardens at Lara

Case study: Vietnamese market gardens at LaraIn the early 1980’s a small group of Vietnamese growers established market gardens at Lara. There are now around 30Vietnamese growers in the area who grow Asian vegetables, tomatoes and Lebanese cucumbers. The demand for Asian vegetables has grown rapidly in the region since the early1980’s. The growers at Lara have expanded their production over this time, providing a valuable supply of culturally appropriate foods for migrant communities, as well as an important source of employment.

Case Study: Diversitat WholefoodsIn 2005, Diversitat took over management of Geelong Wholefoods – an enterprise specialising in the delivery of organic products, foods of the world, fresh local produce, earth friendly packaging and bulk organics. Diversitat has opened a caféon the site and is looking at developing programs promoting healthy eating within CALD communities as well as enterprise opportunities for new and emerging communities in the region including cultural cooking workshops. This social community enterprise, along with Diversitat Arts and 94.7 The Pulse, provides employment opportunities and skills development to those who would most benefit from these services.

How would you like to see the food cultureHave

encourage food production within migrant communities. These programs could also be linked to provision of employment and training opportunities.

There is also

an opportunity to enhance the identity of the Greater Geelong region as a region of food

your say of Greater Geelong develop in

future?How could the availability and accessibility of culturally appropriate foods be improved in the region?

production and to foster a ‘local food’ culture that supports the region’s food producers, promotes food tourism opportunities and re-connects both residents and visitors with where their food comes from.

37 Pascoe, B. Wathaurong History. Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary website -http://barwonbluff.com.au/archive/koorie/Histo r y .htm

38 Pascoe, B (2014) Dark Emu, Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident? Broome: Magabala Books.39 Cust, K and Cuttler, R (2013) Food Access Needs Assessment. Healthy Food Connect – Geelong.40 Newcombe, J and Achren, L (2010) CALD settlement and ACE possibilities: Barwon South-West Region.

October 2010.41 City Plan 2013-2017, Council plan for the City of Greater Geelong.42 Cust, K and Cutler, R (2013) As above. 11

10. The City of Greater Geelong’s role

12 37 Stirrat, A (2012) Food Security – Building the Local Picture: A Needs Assessment Report.

We all have a part to play in creating a thriving, equitable, healthy and sustainable food system.This includes businesses, community organisations, individuals and all levels of government.

The City of Greater Geelong recognises that it has an important role in leading efforts to strengthen the region’s food system, and it will work within the scope

We all have a part to play in creating a thriving,

of its statutory responsibilities to achieve this. In some relevant policy areas, this may also involve advocating for state government policy frameworks that are supportive of objectives in the food policy.

There are many organisations and individuals in the region that have an interest in food, and the food policy will be developed through extensive public consultation. It will also be delivered in collaboration with a broad range of partners, including local businesses and community organisations.

How could the City of Greater Geelong

equitable, healthy and sustainable food system

Haveyoursay

best lead in fostering a thriving, equitable,healthy and sustainable food system?How could the City of Greater Geelong work with businesses and community partners to deliver the food policy?

11. What is the City of Greater Geelong already doing?The City of Greater Geelong has undertaken a range of initiatives related to improving food security and strengthening the region’s food system, and it has a number of existing policies that include relevant goals and strategies.

The City of Greater Geelong has a history of cross- sector work to address food security, involving maternal and child health nurses, environmental health officers, Meals on Wheels and urban planners. In 2009, theG21 Food Security Network was established to takea strategic approach to addressing food security, with the City of Greater Geelong as a key contributor. More recently, the Geelong Food Assistance Network has also been established.

In 2012, the City of Greater Geelong was awarded funding for Healthy Together Geelong, a national and state government public health initiative that focuses on kindergartens, childcare facilities, schools, workplaces and community settings. This initiative has a program

called Healthy Food Connect that aims to improve access to healthy food through food systems change.

A number of mapping exercises have identified issues to be addressed by a food policy, including a 2013Food Access Needs Assessment and multiple studies undertaken by the Food Security Network, which are documented in the 2012 report, ‘Food Security - Building the Local Picture: A Needs Assessment Report’.37

The City of Greater Geelong also has a number of existing polices and plans with links to the food policy initiative. Some have relevant objectives and strategies for strengthening food systems including:` The Geelong Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-

2017, which includes an action plan for ‘Accessible and nutritious food’.

` The City of Greater Geelong’s Environment Management Strategy 2013-2017, which has principles to promote sustainable agriculture, household food production and consumption of local, low impact and seasonal food.

DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE FOOD POLICY2009 2012 2013 2014 2015

G21 Food Security Network Needs AssessmentCouncil committed to food policyHealthy Together Geelong (HTG)

Municipal Food Scan Geelong Food Assistance NetworkPublic Health & Wellbeing Plan

Community consultation

Food Policy development and adoption

The City of Greater Geelong is creating its first food policy. This is an opportunity to begin a broad public conversation about what we value about food and how we can build a stronger food system for the future. Now is the time to have your say about how you would liketo see this food policy develop.

We have suggested some questions throughout the discussion paper that you are invited to respond to and they are summarised to the right. You could also provide feedback on specific areas of interest.

You can give us your feedback by:

Web: Online Survey (under Food Policy)ww w .geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay

Email: gmcgrath@geelongcit y .vic.go v .au Mail: Geelong Food Policy

c/o Healthy Together GeelongReplied PaidPO BOX 104Geelong VIC

Community Food ForumDate: Tuesday 16 September 2014Time: 2.00pm-4.30pmVenue: The Potato Shed, 41 Peninsula Drive,

Drysdale, 3222Register: ww w .trybooking.com/99843

Community Food ForumDate: Thursday 18 September 2014Time: 6.00pm-8.30pmVenue: Council Chambers, City Hall

30 Gheringhap Street, 3220Register: ww w .trybooking.com/99875

To register your place at one of the Food Forums, follow the link(s), email gmcgrath@geelongcit y .vic.go v .au or phone 0409 348 812.

The closing date for feedback is:

5.00pm, Sunday 21 September 2014

Questions` How could Geelong best respond to the

challenges facing the region’s food system?

` What are some of the opportunities for Geelong’s food system?

` What are some of the challenges to healthy eating in the City of Greater Geelong?

` What would make it easier to grow, buy and eat healthy foods in the City of Greater Geelong?

` What food safety challenges do you face as a consumer, producer or food business?

` How could the City of Greater Geelong best assist you to improve food safety?

` What opportunities are there to increase food security for Greater Geelong residents?

` What could organisations and businesses do to improve access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods?

` How could sustainable food production and consumption be promoted in the region?

` How could food waste be reduced in GreaterGeelong?

` What opportunities exist to grow the contribution of food and farming to the local economy?

` What would make it easier to buy and sell more locally produced food in the region?

` How would you like to see the food culture ofGreater Geelong develop in future?

` How could the availability and accessibility of culturally appropriate foods be improved in the region?

` How could the City of Greater Geelong best lead in fostering a thriving, equitable, healthy and sustainable food system?

` How could the City of Greater Geelong work with businesses and community partners to deliverthe food policy?

13

adequate FoodEnough food to meet a person’s need for optimal growth, development and health throughout life and contributes to physical vitality, mental health and social wellbeing.

Food accessHaving sufficient access to physical and economic resources to obtain appropriate food for a nutritious diet. Resources include physical ability, money, transport opportunities and geographical location of food outlets.

Food availabilityAvailability of sufficient quantities of nutritious food on a regular basis, similar to food supply.

Food InsecurityFood insecurity exists whenever the availabilityof nutritionally, safe foods or the ability to acquire personally acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain.38

Food securityFood security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.39

Food systemOur food system is made up of all the activities that happen ‘from paddock to plate’ before our food reaches us. These activities include farming, food processing, transportation, the selling and eating of food and the disposal of food waste.

Food useAppropriate knowledge and skills in basic nutrition, budgeting, shopping and cooking; including access to adequate water and sanitation, food storage and cooking facilities.

Nutritious FoodRefers to a wide variety of food in accordance with the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which is balanced against the body’s requirements for growth, metabolism and physical activity across the life stages and is consumed regularly and consistently; without periods of over consumption or severe restriction.40

right to FoodThe right to food is a basic human right recognised under international law. It describes the right to feed oneself with dignity, either by producing food or buying it.41

38 Food insecurity - Campbell CC: Food Insecurity: A Nutritional Outcome or Predictor Variable? J. Nutrition 121; 408-415, 1991.

15

Want to find out more?GreG McGrathheaLthY tOGether GeeLONG

the areNa, LeveL 1110 victOria StreetNOrth GeeLONG 3215

E: gmcgrath@geelongcit y .vic.go v .au T: 0409 348 812W: www.geelongaustralia.com.au/healthygeelong

Healthy Geelong

@HealthyGeelong

Healthy Together Geelong, funded by the Victorian Government, is improving the health of our community.