Earlier this month, Professor Karen Charlton from the University of Wollongong, Berbel Franse, program manager for Food Fairness Illawarra, as well as representatives from Sustain, Australia’s Right to Food Coalition, Community Gardens Australia and Young Farmers Connect, set out to judge the food systems, farming and sustainability policies of the major parties.

Ahead of the 2023 NSW state election, the group looked at policies in nine key areas. The parties were to be given a score of three carrots (best practice), two carrots (reasonable policies), one carrot (general statement) or no carrots (no commitment).

The results are now in. The Greens won 27 carrots, Labor received nine carrots and the Coalition six. 

UOW's Prof Charlton said: “The current food system is contributing to climate change and malnutrition in all its forms. Urgent action is needed to change the way food is produced, processed, sold and consumed.”

Read more at Food Fairness Illawarra's website