Media release – Nic Street, Minister Community Services and Development, 3 April 2023
Launch of Food Relief to Food Resilience Action Plan
Further food relief will be delivered to Tasmanians who need it most, whilst also building food resilience for a sustainable future under the Rockliff Liberal Government’s latest plan.
Released today, the Food Relief to Food Resilience Action Plan 2023-25 builds on the commitment of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy released by the Government in 2021.
Over two years, the Tasmanian Government has committed an additional $2 million in funding to deliver the Action Plan.
The investment focuses on delivering local solutions to build a sustainable future.
Actions include:
- A place-based pilot program to deliver community-led solutions to move from food relief to food resilience ($800,000). The program will develop sustainable food security solutions that meet community needs;
- A Local Community Food Relief Grants Program for local food organisations ($300,000). The program will assist with ensuring sufficient delivery of food relief for those in need in their local communities;
- The development of nutritional programs by Eat Well Tasmania for delivery in Neighbourhood Houses ($100,000);
- Additional funding to providers to deliver food relief to Tasmanians in need. Funding will go to Foodbank Tasmania ($100,000) and Loaves and Fishes Tasmania ($200,000); and
- Additional funding to the successful School Lunch Pilot program of ($400,000).
Minister for Community Services and Development, Nic Street, reiterated the Government’s commitment for every Tasmanian to have access to sufficient, quality and nutritious food.
“We have committed $9 million since 2018 towards the delivery of food relief across the state,” he said.
“The funding has been delivered to more than 40 organisations, both large and small, to deliver produce, food hampers and ready-made meals to Tasmanians in need.
“More than 7.5 million kilograms of food has been distributed by our two largest food relief providers across the state, to more than 260 organisations.
“Almost 79,000 lunches were delivered in 2022 alone with more than 1,600 students fed healthy, nutritious lunches weekly through the School Lunch Pilot Program.
“The additional $2 million investment through this Action Plan highlights our continued commitment to delivering food relief to Tasmanians who need it most, whilst also building food resilience for a sustainable future.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government is getting things done, by not only building a strong economy, but also a caring community. I am proud to lead our food relief to food resilience journey to achieve a food secure Tasmania.”
Media release – Tasmanian Food Security Coalition, 3 April 2023
Release of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Action Plan
The Tasmanian Food Security Coalition (TFSC) welcome the release of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Action Plan (2023-25).
– The TFSC has been working closely with the Tasmanian Government and industry stakeholders toward the action plan over the last two and a half years.
– The TFSC welcome the increased investment to support a number of key initiatives across the state, including;
o Additional funding for School Food Matters School Lunch project.
o Funding for Eat Well Tasmania to run healthy nutrition initiatives in partnership with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania and other community partners.
o $800,000 to create place-based solutions around food security.
The TFSC welcome the strong focus on moving from food relief to food resilience, as well as the focus on nutrition and nutrition education.
We are pleased to see three pilot projects to be co-designed with the sector and communities, including evaluation so we know what works.
The TFSC see this action plan as an important first step towards food security for all Tasmanians. We encourage the Tasmanian Government to see this as a stepping-stone to developing a nutrition and food security strategy that encompasses the whole food system and meets a range of objectives including ending hunger, reducing food waste, reducing emissions, creating jobs, and creating a healthier environment.
The TFSC stands ready to work with the Tasmanian Government and stakeholders to bring the action plan and the state’s Food Relief to Food Resilience strategy to life. After almost two years of development and consultation it is critical that we act quickly and with purpose to break the cycle of disadvantage and the hunger crisis that is growing across the state.
The following quotes may be attributed to the relevant stakeholders:
Andrew Hillier, CEO of Loaves and Fishes Tasmania stated “we are pleased that the Government is committed to initiatives that promote food resilient communities. However in challenging times and with the increased cost of living a reality for so many, demand for food relief increases daily. We appreciate the support from the Tasmanian Government, but we need to do more. We have faced supply challenges in recent months which has compounded the challenge for us to meet need. We have also seen an increase in requests from Tasmanians who have never faced challenges about sourcing food”.
Carl Saunder, State Manager of Eat Well Tasmania: “Eat Well Tasmania welcome the release of the action plan and acknowledge this is an important step forward as we aim to move to a more food secure state and improved health of Tasmanian communities. We value the opportunity to participate in creating greater capacity and capabilities within communities across our state. We must work creatively and collaboratively with communities to build long-term solutions that ease the pressure on food relief agencies and strengthen the health of Tasmanians through access to local, fresh, healthy produce. We have a long way to go in addressing hunger in Tasmania and we must do better together and this plan is an important first step.
Julie Dunbabin, Project Manager for School Food Matters School Lunch Project: “We have seen firsthand the struggles many Tasmanian families are facing every day. Our pilot project is now in 30 schools across the state – 15 last year and 15 this year. We know that schools and communities are great places to ensure young Tasmanians and their families have access to and learn to cook nutritious, tasty meals using local and seasonal produce.”
Dr Charlie Burton, Acting CEO of TasCOSS: “Widespread and growing hunger in our state shows that what we’ve done to date is not working. So, we welcome the Tasmanian Government’s recognition that addressing food insecurity needs a new approach.
Michael Gordon, Acting CEO of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania: “Neighbourhood Houses are one of many frontline providers delivering food relief across the state and are also finding innovative ways to build food resilience. We are looking forward to building on the multiple projects currently underway, consolidating partnerships, and being part of place-based initiatives that improve the food system.”
Data tells us that food insecurity affects Tasmanians across the income spectrum and that 90 per cent of those experiencing food insecurity don’t seek help from emergency food relief providers. We need to do more to provide accessible information on how to find support, access healthy meals and connect with others, including by making sure all Tasmanians know that it’s OK to seek help.
Mr Hillier said “there is an assumption that food security is only a problem for a certain demographic of Tasmanians. The reality is this is now a problem that’s impacting many families and households who have never had to face challenges and pressures such as these. We need to send a strong message that there’s no shame in saying, ‘I need a hand.’”
