Shaping Victoria's Food Future: A Symposium for Collective Action

William Angliss Institute and Sustain: the Australian Food Network are pleased to invite you to a half-day symposium on shaping a collective agenda for a secure and equitable food future in Victoria. 

The intersection of a cost-of-living crisis, escalating climate change, supply chain vulnerabilities and pressures on Melbourne's food bowl presents unprecedented challenges for the integrity and equity of Victoria's food system.

NOTE : ONLINE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! YOUR ONLINE LINK WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

For the first time, the Victorian parliament is establishing two inquiries concerning the Victorian food system:

• Environment and Planning Committee (Legislative Assembly) – Inquiry into securing the Victorian food supply
• Legal and Social Issues Committee (Legislative Council) – Inquiry into food security in Victoria

These parallel inquiries offer a unique opportunity for Victorians to engage in a vital conversation about the future of our food system. 

This participatory event features contributions from leading food system experts on the matters under investigation by the two important inquiries. It will provide an engaging platform for bringing together a diverse range of perspectives and empowering communities to articulate their call for action.

Your voice matters. Join us in shaping the agenda for a secure, equitable and delicious food future for all Victorians. 

A symposium summary will be disseminated after the event to assist communities in submitting their own locally-informed recommendations to both parliamentary inquiries. 


The challenge we face

Food insecurity has risen dramatically in Victoria in the 2020s. While consumers are paying more for food, farmers are not being paid a fair price. Yet supermarket profits are on the rise. The gap between wholesale and retail food prices point to fundamental imbalances our food system. Meanwhile, climate change and urban sprawl are placing significant pressure on Victoria's most productive farmland. 

Local governments, along with community organisations, have been at the forefront in responding to these complex challenges. Yet they face many legislative and resourcing constraints in addressing the magnitude of the issue and achieving systems-level change. 

We urgently need a food system that supports our collective nourishment, with the principles of equity, dignity, participation, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart.

Resources

Towards a Healthy, Regenerative, and Equitable Food System in Victoria: A Consensus Statement articulates a shared vision for Victoria's food system, drawing on the expertise and perspectives of farmers, food relief organisations, social enterprises, researchers, educators and public health advocates. 

The Federal House Standing Committee on Agriculture: Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond (Dec 2023) also identifies the need for government action and investment to secure our food future.

Speakers

Dr Sarah Mansfield MP (Western Victoria)

Sarah Mansfield is an Australian politician from Geelong, Victoria. A member of the Greens, she has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Council since the 2022 Victorian state election, representing the Western Victoria Region.

Before her election, she was a councillor for the City of Greater Geelong, first elected in 2017 and again re-elected in 2020. Dr Mansfield has also worked as a general practitioner. 

Emeritus Professor Michael Buxton, RMIT University

Professor Michael Buxton is an Emeritus Professor Environment and Planning at RMIT University. He has spent 50 years as an academic and in senior public sector management and political positions. He has extensive experience in planning and natural resource policy development at all levels of government. He has published over 80 books, monographs and refereed and other major publications with a particular interest in urban green belts and protection of the natural values of peri-urban areas.

Professor Kathryn Backholer, Deakin University

Professor Kathryn Backholer is a Professor of public health policy and Co-Director of the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, within the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University.  She holds a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship and is a Fellow and Board Member of the Public Health Association of Australia. Her research is focused on building the evidence to support healthy and equitable policies that address the social, cultural and commercial determinants of health, with a key focus on food price, affordability and marketing.

Dr Rebecca Lindberg, Deakin University

Dr Rebecca Lindberg is a mixed methods public health researcher with applied and academic experience. She has extensive expertise in not-for-profit food programs, social and health policy, nutrition inequities and chronic disease prevention. Rebecca is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University, where she teaches and researches food systems, food security, sustainability, nutrition and food policy. Rebecca is also a Director of The Community Grocer.

Please note we may take photographs/video at our events. Please identify yourself to a Sustain staff member/volunteer at the event if you wish not to be photographed. Please advise us of any dietary requirements in advance. 

To minimise waste, please BYO keep cups and water bottles. If you are no longer able to attend the event, please let us know beforehand so we can avoid over-catering.

William Angliss Institute is an accessible venue.

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Special thanks to our event partner: