Hume council is working on strategies to remove the barriers to food security in Hume, developed in discussion with community and experts in a recent Hume Food Forum.
The council-led forum brought together representatives from the North Eastern Public Health Unit and VicHealth to connect, share and learn about our food system with food relief agencies, community gardens, local businesses, schools, community organisations and agriculture industry representatives.
The forum has come at a crucial time, with wide-spread issues of putting food on the table amid a cost of living crisis.
Bringing to attention the need for equitable, culturally responsive, healthier and more sustainable food systems is a priority for the council.
Keynote speakers included FoodBank Victoria’s Dave McNamara, VicHealth’s Dheepa Jeyapalan, and founder of Sustain: The Australian Food Network Nick Rose, discussing.
Guests of the forum engaged in a range of problem solving and solution building initiatives that promoted tackling barriers to food security.
The speakers explored themes surrounding the current challenges in accessing healthy and fresh foods in Hume and the complexities of food production and consumption, while attendees engaged in conversations about how to make food systems more resilient.
An important addition to the event was a contribution from Hume Elder Aunty Jo from Westmeadows Indigenous Community Gardens.
She shared invaluable insights on resources that can be cultivated from indigenous plants for food, medicine, and bush tucker garden cultivation.
With the next year’s budget not too far away, the fall out of the meeting will soon be seen.
