Despite a high level of food availability in our supermarkets and the presence of diet related diseases (such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes) contributed to by an over consumption of food, many people regularly find that they do not have enough money to buy food or have the ability to get to shops where they can purchase groceries. Likewise new arrivals community members face difficulties as they are often unfamiliar with local foods, cooking methods and shopping practices.
A Community Indicators Study in 2007, revealed that approximately 10.6% of residents living in the City of Greater Dandenong had in the previous 12 months run out of food and could not afford to buy more. This is high when compared with an average of 6% across the rest of Victoria.
Most people will experience food access or shortage problems at some time or another. There are many different reasons for this. Some people experience the challenge more often and more severely than others.
There are a number of barriers that may prevent people from eating well. Some of these include:
- Low income
- Inadequate cooking facilities
- Poor access to shops, caused by inadequate public transport access or disability
- Limited knowledge about food budgeting or meal preparation
A range of initiatives have been developed in-conjunction with project partners to reduce these barriers.
In January 2008, the Greater Dandenong Food Alliance met for the first time. The alliance is a partnership between local government, charitable organisations, including food rescue and emergency food relief providers, community based health workers, and a registered training provider (including VicRelief Foodbank, FareShare, Avocare, SecondBite, Dandenong Community Aid and Advice Bureau, Cornerstone and Keysborough Learning Centre, Royal District Nursing Service and Greater Dandenong Community Health)
For more information please contact Leanne Malcolm, Community Development Officer, 9239 5348
Food for Everybody Forum – "A Chance to Act"
On 17 June 2009, the Greater Dandenong Food Alliance held the Inaugural Food for Everybody Forum. Representatives from over 50 community organisations and local businesses attended and participated in a range of conversations and discussions which focused on food insecurity.
The forum showcased many examples of how statewide and local organisations are working together to address many of the issues that impact directly on food security.
Presenters included: Dr Cate Burns, Deakin University; Marcus Godinho, Fareshare; Russell Shields, SecondBite; Trish Keilty, Avocare; Mike Cannon, VicRelief Foodbank; Jenny Trezise, City of Greater Dandenong and Sandra George, City of Greater Dandenong – South East Business Networks.
The presentations covered topics ranging form Corporate Social Responsibility, food insecurity and health consequences, history of the Good Samaritan legislation, fresh food rescue, enterprise, training and emergency relief and food relief distribution.
Presentations:
Avocare Community Distribution Centre (ACDC)
Several members of the Greater Dandenong Food Alliance that provide food relief to community members have formed a partnership to provide free fully prepared meals as well as fresh fruit and vegetables to community members via agencies.
Recently Avocare, a registered training provider has leased a building in Dandenong, where they have co-located with VicRelief Foodbank and provide storage space for FareShare and Secondbite. This collaboration benefits the community by providing greater availability of emergency food relief, better coordination of services, less impact on the environment and more employment training options.
The ACDC includes a commercial café which sells healthy meals to local workers, and after 2pm Monday - Friday provides meals for food insecure community members who are accompanied by a community worker at no cost.
To find out more about the Avocare Community Distribution Centre, contact 1300 665 756.
Peer education
Workers of a culturally diverse origin, who have strong links to new arrival families are trained on healthy eating principles and practices. Through their ongoing work they deliver this information to their clients, groups and networks. Mission Australia employs 2 community nutritionists who provide ongoing support to the peer educators assisting with session design and encouraging them to use their new skills and knowledge. For more information please phone 9213 2508.
Supporting external agencies to undertake work to alleviate food insecurity
To ensure the sustainability of the project, a key priority is to support other agencies who wish to undertake relevant food related activities and programs.
Food for Everybody can support agencies in a variety of ways:
- Assisting with grant applications for funding
- Supporting pilot activities and programs
- Providing expertise around nutrition and food security
- Creating links with other agencies working on similar initiatives
- Developing policy documents to include nutrition and food security
Workshops on improving nutrition and food security
Greater Dandenong Community Health Service have been working with the Food for Everybody project to develop nutrition workshops that meet the needs of workers in the City. The Community Health Service dietitian can tailor a workshop to suit any organisation or agency. Contact Shireen Hii on 8558 9046 for more information or to discuss your needs.
The FFE project also partners with Council's Best Start Project to provide ongoing support and education to workers in the Early Years sector. Currently a needs analysis is being conducted with the work force and subsequently resources and training sessions will be developed to “fill the gaps” around healthy eating for children 0-5.
Resource development
In 2006, resources about buying and preparing fruit and vegetables were developed in conjunction with Brimbank and Maribyrnong Councils. These were given to newly arrived families/individuals to help them gain a better understanding and skills on cooking and eating well in Australia. The brochures are also very useful for workers to explain best practice around cooking and food safety of fruit and vegetables.
Likewise the FFE project in partnership with the council maternal child workforce developed a brochure to explain the introduction of solids for babies and had it translated into 8 community languages.
'Affordable and easy to prepare' cook book
A book of recipes, including tips for budgeting was produced in 2007 and is available through Emergency Food Relief agencies or the Food For Everybody project officer.
The recipes were developed by a Deakin University Health Promotion student and the Food for Everybody project officer after requests from several agencies. All recipes are made with low cost and readily available ingredients and can be made with very little cooking equipment.
Recipes:
- Lamb and barley stew
- Leek and potato soup
- Mediterranean tuna pasta
- Pancakes
- Porridge
- Tuna vegetable pasta
- Vegetable barley pilaf
- Vegetable frittata
City of Greater Dandenong – Municipal Public Health Plan (MPHP)
The issue of food security has been identified in the MCHP as a key issue for Council.
Including this issue in the plan creates an opportunity for council to consider how, through their work, they can create environments supportive of healthy eating and access to healthy foods, for example the provision of public transport.
View the Municipal Public Health Plan
Healthy Food Access Basket Survey
In 2006 and 2007, pricing data from local supermarkets, green grocers and Dandenong market was collected, to calculate the cost of eating well in the municipality.
This report, which is publicly available, is used to advocate about the real cost of eating well, and to inform practices and recommendations about cooking, budgeting and shopping to workers who support community members and promote healthy eating. In April 2009 another survey of local fruit and vegetable sellers will be conducted to ascertain any variation in pricing since 2007 and also determine the best value shopping in the municipality. This research will inform a community bulletin on food costs and suggested strategies to make the most of your shopping dollar to be distributed in May 2009.
View Healthy Food Access Basket Survey
Further Information
For further information about the Food For Everybody project, including suggestions and feedback, contact Council.
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