Contents The City of Greater Geelong is developing a food policy to address the multiple ways in which food impacts our lives and to strengthen the food region’s system. food system faces some challenges. The Geelong’s 1. Introduction 2 way many of us eat is undermining our health, some 2. Why have a food policy? 4 people in the have enough nutritious region don’t food and food production in the region faces 3. food system 5 Geelong’s increasing pressures from climate change and the 4. Food and health 6 loss of fertile agricultural land. 5. Food safety 7 Geelong has some unique assets that we can draw 6. Food security 8 on to address these challenges. The region has a diverse range of local farms and food producers, a 7. Food and the environment 9 vibrant seafood industry and an emerging food 8. Food and the local economy 10 tourism sector. Geelong also has a strong base of grassroots and community groups that have worked 9. Food and culture 11 for many years 10. The City of role Greater Geelong’s to improve access to healthy food in the region and 12 to establish a network of community gardens. 11. What is the City of Greater Geelong 12 This paper discusses six key themes related to food in already doing? Geelong. 12. Have your say 13 1. Food and health 13. Glossary 14 2. Food safety 3. Food security 1. Introduction 4. Food and the environment 5. Food and the local economy 6. Food and culture We now have an opportunity to build on the strengths and develop a vision for a region’s stronger Food affects all of us in the City of Greater food system a food system that supports local – Geelong in many different ways. It influences our food producers and increases the availability and health and wellbeing, it shapes our environment, it accessibility of healthy, sustainably produced is central to our interactions in families and food. communities and it is a vital part of our local economy. 2
Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Why have a food policy? 4 3. Geelong’s food system 5 4. Food and health 6 5. Food safety 7 6. Food security 8 7. Food and the environment 9 8. Food and the local economy 10 9. Food and culture 11 10. The City of Greater Geelong’s role 12 11. What is the City of Greater Geelong 12 already doing? 12. Have your say 13 13. Glossary 14 1. Introduction Food affects all of us in the City of Greater Geelong in many different ways. It influences our health and wellbeing, it shapes our environment, it is central to our interactions in families and communities and it is a vital part of our local economy. The City of Greater Geelong is developing a food policy to address the multiple ways in which food impacts our lives and to strengthen the region’s food system. Geelong’s food system faces some challenges. The way many of us eat is undermining our health, some people in the region don’t have enough nutritious food and food production in the region faces increasing pressures from climate change and the loss of fertile agricultural land. Geelong has some unique assets that we can draw on to address these challenges. The region has a diverse range of local farms and food producers, a vibrant seafood industry and an emerging food tourism sector. Geelong also has a strong base of grassroots and community groups that have worked for many years to improve access to healthy food in the region and to establish a network of community gardens. This paper discusses six key themes related to food in Geelong. 1. Food and health 2. Food safety 3. Food security 4. Food and the environment 5. Food and the local economy 6. Food and culture We now have an opportunity to build on the region’s strengths and develop a vision for a stronger food system – a food system that supports local food producers and increases the availability and accessibility of healthy, sustainably produced food. 2
8d18aabf32159fb-Healthy%20Food%20Policy%20Discussion%20Paper.docx