A local food security expert, localism leader and program manager for Food Fairness Illawarra, Berbel Franse, along with a team of representatives from Sustain, UOW, Young Farmers Connect, Right to Food Coalition and Community Gardens Australia, is looking at the major parties to score them based on their policies in nine areas:

1. Planning healthy food systems

2. Collaborative food system governance

3. First Nations Peoples’ knowledge and skills

4. Food security

5. Food waste and rescue

6. School edible gardens

7. Urban and peri-urban agriculture and community gardens/farms

8. Regenerative horticulture and agriculture

9. Building skills and workforce

Berbel says, “Food insecurity significantly impacts the health and well-being of individuals and households in our community. The staggering statistic that 1 in 5 households in Australia experienced food insecurity in 2021/22 is a clear indication that urgent and decisive action is needed by the NSW government.”

Stay tuned for the results of the Vote For Food Scorecard.