Improving food security and regional community resilience

Project summary

As recurrent disasters continue to increase in frequency, the supply chain for food is disrupted and continues to become more vulnerable in Australia. As a result, there is a growing need to build more resilient and responsive systems, infrastructure and governance into our food supply chain, with areas such as the Northern Rivers of NSW being particularly susceptible to these shocks and stresses. The 2023 Foodbank Hunger Report highlighted that during the last year, the cost of living crisis has affected the ability of Australian households to put food on the table, with 3.7 million households in Australia experiencing food insecurity.

UTS researchers, in partnership with Plan C, Griffith University, and Wild Community conducted a scoping study to understand the extent of the problem in the Northern Rivers region using systems thinking approaches to explore the impacts of reoccurring disasters from bushfires to COVID to severe flooding on food security. Researchers interviewed actors from across the food system and identified the three key ‘states’ for analysis: an everyday state, a disaster state, and a recovery state. These states were analysed to identify how food security was impacted across the pillars of availability, accessibility, utilisation, and stability and a set of recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers in the region was provided.

The recommendations provide short and long term pathways for rethinking how the region approaches food production, manufacturing, distribution, sale, consumption and disposal. Developing a regional food strategy and clear governance structure across the food system was a key priority. Moving toward a local circular food economy can build resilience to future disasters and disturbances. Establishing regional food infrastructure through co-located food hubs and filling the gap of governance and support for emergency food relief during a disaster can ease pressure during times of crisis. Local food was identified as a crucial community connection in times of disaster that needs more support in the ‘everyday’ state to dignify and strengthen food supply to those who need it most. There is also a significant need to support and amplify Indigenous voices in the Northern Rivers food system to broaden knowledge and improve outcomes for marginalised communities.

In late 2023, the study led delivery of an Urban Agriculture and Food Futures Roundtable in Ballina to bring together stakeholders to begin the process of identifying challenges and opportunities for resilience and governance of the region’s food system. It was sponsored by the Northern New South Wales Local Health District and facilitated by UTS ISF alongside Sustain: the Australian Food Network. Find out more.

local gardening workshop — Local gardening workshop Wardell

The study has provided evidence for advocacy in the region to address food system vulnerabilities through lobbying the state government for support to develop a regionally- led food strategy and governance framework. This advocacy is in response to the recommendations of the 2022 NSW Government Inquiry into Food Production and Supply.

Project timeframe

2023

SDG targets addressed by this project

Zero hunger:

2.4 - By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Good health and well-being:

3.4 - By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

Sustainable cities and communities:

11.7 - By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Responsible consumption and production:

12.1 - Implement the 10‑Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.

12.2 - By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources