Food security
What is food insecurity?
'Food security' underpins VicHealth's investments in healthy eating
Irregular access to safe, nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable food from non-emergency sources is known as food insecurity. The notion of ‘food security’ underpins VicHealth's investments in healthy eating, which broadens the traditional concept of hunger and embraces a systemic view of the causes of hunger and poor nutrition within a community, while identifying the changes necessary to prevent their occurrence.
Food Security Network
The Food Security Network is for project officers, councils, community organisations and others who are addressing food security issues in their local areas. It is to facilitate discussion and the sharing of resources. Follow the link to view the discussion and to join.
Why is healthy eating important?
Having adequate food to eat is one of the basic elements of human rights. Basic human rights are about upholding dignity. Dignity does not come from being fed from sources such as soup kitchens or food vouchers, but from providing for one’s self. It is about having a choice over what foods to eat. Eating nutritious foods contributes to physical and mental wellbeing across the lifespan.
Through the Food for All grants, VicHealth funds local councils to improve access to nutritious food and to influence the cultural, social, economic and environmental barriers poor and disadvantaged communities face in eating healthily.
It’s not as simple as illustrating ‘healthy food’ – or the food pyramid (which represents a balanced diet). The program responds to social and economic disadvantage and the related influences on health.
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Who is vulnerable to food insecurity?
Individuals and groups vulnerable to food insecurity include:
- low income families (and single parents with young dependent children)
- people who are unemployed or have limited formal education
- people with a disability, including mental illnesses
- people from non-English speaking backgrounds (refugee and asylum seekers)
- frail elderly people (particularly those who are socially isolated and have low incomes)
- people affected by alcohol and/or substance abuse
- homeless people
- people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
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How is poverty and food insecurity linked to overweight and obesity?
The paradox in food security is that there is an association between poverty, food insecurity, overweight and obesity. It’s perceived to be cheaper and easier to eat foods with high fat, salt and sugar content, and this food is also perceived to be more palatable and more accepted by family members.
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What influences peoples’ access to food?
- Economic – having adequate income or resources to buy food or having affordable food outlets in the neighbourhood
- Physical ability – ability to walk, drive and carry purchases home
- Physical infrastructure – availability of public transport or safe walkable routes, and geographical isolation
- Living conditions – stable address, adequate food storage and cooking facilities
- Cultural and social – whether there are shops with socially and culturally appropriate food
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How can local councils make a difference?
Local government authorities are well placed to develop relevant, integrated and long-lasting strategies and solutions.
The Food For All program involves action by local governments on many fronts:
- making sure there are local sources of fresh fruit and vegetables at affordable prices
- ensuring that those living in poor-quality housing have access to food storage and cooking facilities
- improving food and cooking knowledge amongst disadvantaged groups
- improving transport options for those without a car
- increasing community awareness of the problem of food insecurity
In 2007, VicHealth commissioned a national study of Local Government's role in food and nutrition work. Click here for a summary of findings.
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Healthy Eating-Food Security Investment Plan 2005-2010
Download Healthy Eating–Food Security Investment Plan 2005–2010 PDF