Food for All program
What is the Food for All program?
Local councils are taking a lead in improving access to healthy foods
Local councils are taking a lead in improving access to healthy foods VicHealth's Food for All Program is designed to increase regular access to and consumption of a variety of foods (particularly fruit and vegetables) by people living in disadvantaged communities.
A key strategy of Food for All is to encourage local government authorities to improve integrated planning of those things that influence access to food, such as transport, housing, economic development and land use.
Read more Food for All reports, evaluations and case studies
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Why is this program necessary?
Most of the strategies to improve access to healthy eating for vulnerable groups has focused on short-term emergency food relief or individual counselling and health education.
Research shows that people on the lowest incomes cannot afford to choose to eat a variety of food easily and many are more likely to be overweight or even obese. There are also reports that increasing numbers of Australians are experiencing food insecurity in the last 10 years. Food insecurity is much more common than we think or would like and it has much broader consequences than just diet – it impacts on people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.
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Who is currently receiving funding?
Funding was open to local government authorities with 20% or more of their population living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The following local councils demonstrated a commitment to take the lead in reducing barriers in their communities to accessing healthy foods and are being funded for 5 years:
- City of Greater Dandenong
- Frankston City Council
- Cardinia Shire
- City of Casey
- Maribyrnong City Council
- Brimbank City Council
- Swan Hill Rural City Council
- Melton Shire Council
Download summary of funded projects
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How can local councils address food insecurity?
VicHealth believes that local councils are best placed to develop relevant, integrated and long-lasting strategies to tackle this problem. Action is required on many fronts, including:
- 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