The food system affects every Australian because we all depend on it to feed us. That’s why it’s vital that as many Australians as possible have their say about Feeding Australia – the National Food Security Strategy, which is now being developed by the federal government.

Convened by Sustain: the Australian Food Network in collaboration with Eat Well Tasmania, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania, Gastronomy Northern Tasmania, FermenTas, Sprout Tasmania, Tasmanian University Students Association, School Food Matters, the FaRM Project and Tasmanian Churchill Fellows Julie Dunbabin and Rodney Spinks, this Forum will be a unique opportunity for Tasmanian and national stakeholders to discuss the opportunities created by the Feeding Australia Strategy to develop a cohesive, systems-based approach to food security in Australia.

The Forum will feature presentations from leading advocates and practitioners on key topics and initiatives, including:

Dr Nick Rose – Sustain: the Australian Food Network, a decade of local food policy in Victoria and VicHealth's Local Partnerships for Food First

Jennifer Robinson- Sprout Tasmania, the role of small-scale producers in local food security

Andrew Hillier – Loaves and Fishes Tasmania

Sandy Murray & Fran Kneeves – the FaRM project, Northern Launceston

Kirsty Grierson - School Food Matters – nutritious, locally-sourced school meal service for Tasmanian schoolchildren

Julie Dunbabin – Tasmanian Churchill Fellow, universal school meals

Rodney Spinks – Tasmanian Churchill Fellow, social supermarkets

Dr Katherine Kent – University of Wollongong, Restoring Distributed Agency in our Food System
Kim White - Food Security Program Coordinator, Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA)
Invaresk Community Gardens - a tour of Australia's largest fully publicly accessible community garden

Who it’s for?

Federal and state MPs, local councillors, staff and executives from the City of Launceston, coordinators of Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres, local producers, UTAS staff and community members passionate about a healthy, sustainable and fair food system for everyone in Australia.

Meet the speakers

About the organisers

Sustain: The Australian Food Network

We exist to champion the transition to healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems. To do this, we empower people, government and organisations with the knowledge, tools and connections they need to become agents of food system transformation.

Eat Well Tasmania

We act as a connector, educator, and advocator across the Tasmanian food system to champion healthy eating and promote opportunities for Tasmanians to enjoy more healthy, seasonal, local food every day.

Gastronomy Northern Tasmania

Launceston's designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy is international recognition that the rest of the world has caught on and the small island at the southern tip of Australia has become synonymous with quality produce that attracts high ticket values for its producers.

FermenTas

At FermenTasmania, we believe in the power of fermentation to transform our produce, our people, and our place. By connecting industry, educators, government, and consumers, we are cultivating a community of creative food lovers & innovators.

Sprout Tasmania

Sprout Tasmania is a not-for-profit that supports small-scale farmers to farm ethically and sustainably for their community & the environment.

Loaves & Fishes Tasmania

Loaves and Fishes Tasmania delivers food and hope to locals doing it tough. Our vision is for all Tasmanians to have access to affordable, safe, nutritious & tasty food.

The FaRM Project Tasmania

The FaRM Community Garden Mowbray is more than just a place to grow food; it’s a hub for connection, education, and resilience. We believe in the power of communal gardening to nourish not just the body, but the spirit of our community.

School Food Matters

School Food Matters supports school communities to promote and provide a school food service that is nutritious, affordable, safe and where possible, locally sourced and prepared by the school.

Inveresk Community Garden

Inveresk Community Garden is the largest fully publicly accessible community garden in Australia. It was established in 2022 and covers more than a hectare of the University of Tasmania’s Inveresk Campus. With 650m2 of raised beds, a glasshouse and an in-vessel composting machine, the garden provides ample opportunities for students, staff and the wider community to get involved in propagating, growing and harvesting fresh produce. It also functions as a ‘living laboratory’ for students and academics, an inviting space for events, and a showcase for university sustainability initiatives.

A note from the host venue

St Lukes is proud to support and host the National Food Policy Forum because we believe a resilient, equitable food system is essential to health and wellbeing. As a leading not-for-profit, we’re committed to fostering the kind of collaboration that drives lasting, systems-based solutions, as we continue our work to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet.

Contact the host of National Food Policy Forum