Join City of Ballarat, and Sustain: The Australian Food Network, in an evening of raising awareness and celebrating the local food systems in Ballarat & surrounds, and to also witness the launch of the Ballarat Local Food Coalition.

Free entry, bookings essential for catering purposes. All welcome.

Wed 29th March

5pm - 7pm

Ballarat Welcome Centre

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council

29 - 35 Barkly Street, East Ballarat

The event will bring passionate, likeminded community members together, gathering for conversations around the local food culture. Listen to representatives of diverse areas of this sector as they enlighten us all with an In Conversation talk about their role in the food systems arena, and where they envisage the future lies in localisation of our food on multiple levels.

Ahead of the advent of the Ballarat Local Food Coalition, attendees will also learn all about the Coalition, the process for joining, and what purpose the group will serve.

In its first year the Ballarat Local Food Coalition will work with Sustain: The Australian Food Network to identify local needs and resources, culminating in an action plan which gives the community more agency to develop a resilient, healthy and fair local food system.

What is a Local food coalition?

Local food coalitions operate in other cities across Australia, and they essentially serve as forums for:

discussing food system issues,
help develop a common language and understanding about the strengths and challenges of the local food system,
foster coordination and collaboration between different sectors in the food system,
evaluate and influence policy,
work to mobilise resources and funding, and launch or support programs and services that address local needs.

The development of a local food coalition is identified as an action or supported through strategies within the following Council projects and plans:

The City of Ballarat committed to a vision of ‘all community members having access to and celebrating a vibrant, nutritious and sustainable food system’, with the development and implementation of Good Food for All: Food Strategy 2019-2022. As this plan has now finished, the Ballarat Local Food Coalition will develop an action plan to progress work on the food system, but the community-based coalition members will have more agency and be in a better position to communicate progress back to their networks.

Join in the conversation. Bookings essential for catering purposes (there will be a choice of dietary requirements for all). We'd love to see you there!

Questions? Contact : hsplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au or lou@sustainaustralia.org

Parking available in nearby Barkly Square two large car parks at rear of the centre, enter via Princess St Sth. Accessible car parking available at direct back of venue with lipped curb-side access - enter via Princess St Sth and through car park, up the hill to the rear of the BRMC Welcome Centre.