Alerts

Food access and security

As a council, we play a role in local food systems by providing guidance for the community on how to build a sustainable, just, and vibrant food system that will last.

Our community does a range of work in relation to food. This includes growing food at home, community gardens, free food events, forums and networks, and more.

Food System Strategy

What is a food system?

The food system includes all the steps involved in keeping us fed, from growing, harvesting, processing, packing, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal of food.

Research shows that establishing local food systems can significantly enhance the health and wellbeing of communities, improve the availability of and access to nutritious food, strengthen the local economy, and revitalise urban and natural environments

Merri-bek Food System Strategy

The Merri-bek Food System Strategy 2024-2027 (PDF 1.7MB) is aimed creating a resilient local food system within our community that promotes a healthy environment, supports equal access to nutritious food, and celebrates connection and diversity.

Food security and food access

Food security is when all people have access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate and safe food. Merri-bek has been shown to have high levels of food insecurity. Food insecurity happens when households run out of food and are not able to buy more.

Addressing food security

One of the actions of our Food Systems Strategy is to work with groups, agencies and residents to address the causes of people lacking food security in Merri-bek.

Merri-bek's northern suburbs are some of the least food secure communities in Merri-bek. As such, we have co-developed a pilot program to address food security in the north. You can read more about the Community Food Hub project on the Conversations Merri-bek website.

Food relief and material relief services

These brochures contain information about food and material relief services in Merri-bek and neighbouring suburbs