Ballarat Local Food Coalition to tackle food system issues

A healthier, more sustainable future of food is on the menu in Ballarat. 

The City of Ballarat wants people to join the push for an improved local food system and is seeking community input. 

Expressions of Interest are currently being sought for anybody interested in joining the Ballarat Local Food Coalition – a new initiative established by the City of Ballarat. 

Working closely with Sustain: the Australian Food Network, the coalition will aim to identify local needs and resources, culminating in a three-year action plan to give the community more agency to develop a resilient, healthy and fair local food system. 

The Coalition will consist of 15 members with diverse interests, all of which have various connections into different sectors of the local food system. 

The City of Ballarat’s Good Food for All Strategy 2019-2022 committed to a vision of ‘all community members having access to and celebrating a vibrant, nutritious and sustainable food system’. 

However, with the strategy now complete, attention is turning towards creating a new action plan to work closely with community members to progress work on the food system. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the work of the Good Food for All Strategy had laid a solid foundation in terms of supporting a sustainable local food system. 

However, he acknowledged it was crucial that the work continued. 

“We know how important a strong and sustainable food system is and as a Council we are acutely aware of the importance of prioritising the health and wellbeing of the community,” Cr Hudson said. 

“We look forward to seeing the Ballarat Local Food Coalition work to collaborate across food system sectors and develop projects to address issues.” 

A food forum Q&A session for prospective members will be held in late March with a time and date to be communicated at a later date. 

Visit the City of Ballarat website to express your interest in joining the Ballarat Local Food Coalition. 

Any groups or individuals interesting in being part of the Coalition are asked to email City of Ballarat’s Health and Social Planning unit at hsplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au and request to be sent an EOI form. 

The EOI process will close on April 3, 2023.