Welcome to the Australian Local Food System Policy Database. This is a collection of policies from New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian local governments that relate to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
For further information about using the database and how it was created see How to use the database. You can search the database by using the fields below. Domain refers to eight broad categories under which various topics are situated. The domains and topics are based on a framework of recommendations for local government action on creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system (also located on the ‘How to use the database’ page linked above).
To cite the database: Reeve B, Carrad A, Rose N, Charlton K & Aguirre-Bielschowsky I (2021) Australian Local Food System Policy Database. Available at: https://law-food-systems.sydney.edu.au/policy-database (access date).
Suggested search terms
Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
Search Criteria:
| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| charter 2013 | Parramatta Farmers’ Market can allocate a Community Stall per market to interested NFP Community Groups to sell locally grown food, or promote relevant food and nutrition projects. In particular, the Market will liaise closely with local schools and multi-cultural, groups to develop learning partnerships between the Market and these groups | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Parramatta Farmers’ Market will liaise with existing community food and health projects and programs including community gardens, school gardens, and nutrition education campaigns | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Authenticity An authentic Farmers’ Market relies on the fundamental principle that the growers and artisan food producer stallholders sell the produce they grow or make directly to market shoppers. To achieve this primary objective, produce from agents, wholesalers, and resellers will not be accepted. Recognising geographic distance and growers’ on-farm activity, Parramatta Farmers’ Market allows collaborative farm and regional groups to jointly sell fresh produce, whereby there is always one representative farmer or farm employee of the group in attendance at every market, selling on behalf of the group participants. All funds received from the collaborative sale of produce are to be returned directly to individual participant producers. All ‘share-farmers’ produce is to be clearly designated to the individual producers | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Community Health Parramatta Farmers’ Market will provide a pivotal community destination and the facility for the sale and purchase of farm direct and value-added NSW grown fresh food. The market seeks to provide a viable alternative link in the local food supply chain to ensure improved availability of locally grown produce to Western Sydney residents, thereby improving nutrition values, food security and reliability of access. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Primary Objectives To develop Parramatta Farmers’ Market (PFM) into the pre-eminent metropolitan Sydney farm-direct food market and a destination providing residents, workers and visitors with the opportunity to purchase fresh locally and regionally grown food directly from producers. Additionally, to celebrate the cultural diversity of Parramatta and to activate the heart of the city as a vibrant, open-air community space. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Produce Origin Produce offered for sale at Parramatta Farmers’ Market is to be sourced within NSW, with preference given to Western Sydney and Sydney Basin grown produce. The market is intended to be a showcase of NSW horticulture, agriculture, wild catch seafood, aquaculture and floriculture. All artisan value-add products will ideally include ingredients sourced from other market stallholders, NSW or be Australian-origin foodstuffs. Artisan foods processed with a majority of imported ingredients (eg flavoured Spanish olive oil) will not be permitted for sale. Exceptions may arise if specialty produce is not available from within the state, in these instances PFM market management may permit participation of other stallholders, provided that stallholder is the producer or on-farm employee of the producer. | Sustainability and Environment | Strengthen food chain connections/distribution | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Sustainability Parramatta Farmers’ Market is committed to recycling all waste products – paper, glass, plastic and green waste through recycling initiatives. Paper bags, cups and plates are to be used, except where the product is wet such as seafood, and where food safety and food service requirements specifically may require non-paper containers | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Paper bags, cups and plates are to be used, except where the product is wet such as seafood, and where food safety and food service requirements specifically may require non-paper containers | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Parramatta Farmers’ Market can allocate a Community Stall per market to interested NFP Community Groups to sell locally grown food, or promote relevant food and nutrition projects. In particular, the Market will liaise closely with local schools and multi-cultural, groups to develop learning partnerships between the Market and these groups | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Authenticity An authentic Farmers’ Market relies on the fundamental principle that the growers and artisan food producer stallholders sell the produce they grow or make directly to market shoppers. To achieve this primary objective, produce from agents, wholesalers, and resellers will not be accepted. Recognising geographic distance and growers’ on-farm activity, Parramatta Farmers’ Market allows collaborative farm and regional groups to jointly sell fresh produce, whereby there is always one representative farmer or farm employee of the group in attendance at every market, selling on behalf of the group participants. All funds received from the collaborative sale of produce are to be returned directly to individual participant producers. All ‘share-farmers’ produce is to be clearly designated to the individual producers | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Community Health Parramatta Farmers’ Market will provide a pivotal community destination and the facility for the sale and purchase of farm direct and value-added NSW grown fresh food. The market seeks to provide a viable alternative link in the local food supply chain to ensure improved availability of locally grown produce to Western Sydney residents, thereby improving nutrition values, food security and reliability of access. | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Cultural Diversity Parramatta Farmers’ Market is an inclusive market providing the opportunity to showcase multiple cultures and their foods | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Food Focus Market trading activity, promotion and educational activities will celebrate food in all its expressions – from the farmers and primary producers who grow, rear and catch, to artisans who value-add, and cooks who create | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Parramatta Farmers’ Market can allocate a Community Stall per market to interested NFP Community Groups to sell locally grown food, or promote relevant food and nutrition projects. In particular, the Market will liaise closely with local schools and multi-cultural, groups to develop learning partnerships between the Market and these groups | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Primary Objectives To develop Parramatta Farmers’ Market (PFM) into the pre-eminent metropolitan Sydney farm-direct food market and a destination providing residents, workers and visitors with the opportunity to purchase fresh locally and regionally grown food directly from producers. Additionally, to celebrate the cultural diversity of Parramatta and to activate the heart of the city as a vibrant, open-air community space | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| charter 2013 | Sustainability Parramatta Farmers’ Market is committed to recycling all waste products – paper, glass, plastic and green waste through recycling initiatives. Paper bags, cups and plates are to be used, except where the product is wet such as seafood, and where food safety and food service requirements specifically may require non-paper containers | Economic Development | Public food markets and distributors | NSW | Parramatta | Metropolitan |
| Child Friendly Strategy | Involvement of local schools and childcare centres in maintaining community garden areas. Schools and childcare centres could “adopt” a garden bed Build a local food garden network connecting local school food gardens, Singleton community garden, Slow Food Hunter and the wider community. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Singleton | Regional |
| Child Friendly Strategy | Involvement of local schools and childcare centres in maintaining community garden areas. Schools and childcare centres could “adopt” a garden bed Build a local food garden network connecting local school food gardens, Singleton community garden, Slow Food Hunter and the wider community. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | NSW | Singleton | Regional |
| Child Friendly Strategy | Involvement of local schools and childcare centres in maintaining community garden areas. Schools and childcare centres could “adopt” a garden bed Build a local food garden network connecting local school food gardens, Singleton community garden, Slow Food Hunter and the wider community. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Singleton | Regional |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | available for parents/guardians on request and suggestions for the menu are welcome. The menu and manner of presentation will reflect children’s cultural backgrounds. Parents/guardians may be asked to contribute nutritious recipes from their culture. The service menu will be regularly reviewed by the Healthy Eating Advisory Service to meet the criteria determined As outlined in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, National Health and Medical Research Council, 2013 the service menu reflects a wide variety of nutritious foods, such as: plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain include lean meats, poultry and fish (or alternatives) include milks, cheese, yoghurts (or alternatives) choose water as a drink (preferably tap) limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake low fat diets are not suitable for infants choose foods low in salt consume only moderate amounts of sugars, and foods containing added sugars Meals prepared and served will provide at least 50 per cent of the daily nutritional requirements i.e., morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea consists of the following: (Healthy Eating Advisory Service, 2016) | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Breast milk/formula and the introduction of solids Educators will encourage and support mothers who choose to continue breastfeeding their child once they have started in care. Procedures for breast milk: Mothers are welcome to breast feed at the service and a suitable space for breastfeeding will be provided or to provide expressed breast milk for educators to give the child Expressed breast milk should be brought in clearly labelled as breast milk and with the child’s full name and date of when it was expressed. Breast milk is to be thawed naturally or in a jug of warm water. Always thaw the oldest breast milk first. Remember first in, first out. Over time, the quality of breast milk can decrease. Use breast milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (this means from the time it is no longer frozen or completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer) Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed after storing in the refrigerator or freezer, it should be used within 2 hours. Never refreeze break milk once it has been thawed. Microwaves are not used with breast milk as it may destroy the immune properties of breast milk. Breast milk is to be swirled in a circular motion and not shaken as the milk will separate if shaken too much. This is also done to prevent hotspots in the milk during heating. Breast milk is warmed by standing in a jug of warm water (not hot) or in a bottle warmer just prior to the feed and only the amount needed is warmed All breast milk brought to the service should be immediately stored in the fridge maintained at below five degrees until needed and discarded if not used within two days. Breast milk should not be placed in the door of the fridge due to the frequent opening of the fridge throughout the day. Breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when the family is traveling to the centre. Once you have arrived, breast milk should be used right away or stored in the refrigerator. Exclusively breastfed infants do not require additional fluids up to 6 months of age. Children under 12 months old are to be nursed and engaged with during bottle feeding time. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Children will have access to food and drink at frequent and regular intervals that will include a second late afternoon snack. For snacks, children will preferably go by choice to a set area and eat with only a small number of children. If sweet dishes are provided it will include some fruit and or vegetables and will provide five grams or less of added sugar per serve. The food provided by the service across the board will not be used as a punishment, reward or incentive by the Educator. Children will have access to water (preferably tap) at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Only water and plain milk will be provided. Individual needs will be accommodated for when children are on special diets, parents/guardians will be asked to provide as much detail as possible on the Dietary Requirements Form about suitable foods and will provide any special foods not available locally. If a child has been diagnosed at risk of Anaphylaxis, an Action Plan for Anaphylaxis will be displayed and Risk Minimisation Plan implemented to protect the child from exposure. Identified allergens will be assessed and taken into consideration when meals are planned and served. The menu will be changed regularly and will reflect seasonal change and availability of fresh produce. There will be an emphasis on fresh foods; tinned, frozen and overly processed foods will be kept to a minimum. Children’s food preferences (not related to cultural or allergy restrictions) will be respected though educators will encourage children to try new foods. Discretionary food and drinks: high in saturated fat, added sugar and/or added salt and low in fibre with little nutritional value are not provided by the service (with exception to cultural celebrations where parents have provided a specific food to be shared for that cultural celebration alongside our planned menu). Families are asked to bring healthy alternatives (such as real fresh fruit cake) for all cultural and birthday celebrations. Parents to ask the Team Leader or Educator’s in their child’s | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Emergency foods In the event of an emergency of lack of cooking facilities, educators will go to the supermarket and purchase enough food for the children. In these circumstances such a meal may consist of sandwiches including roast chicken, salad, cheese and fruit. Educators and staff are supported to access resources and professional development to support healthy eating. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Healthy food options will be encouraged for staff meetings and professional learning events | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | However the following sometimes food and drinks will not be provided under any circumstances: – Confectionary, and – sugar sweetened drinks | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Where food is brought from home (Occasional Care Centre ONLY), educators will encourage parents/guardians to provide sufficient quantities of foods which are culturally appropriate, nutritious and meet the needs of their child’s daily dietary requirements. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Children will be given some choices in foods; though food will not be used as a form of punishment. Food will not be provided as reward for good behaviour or to provide comfort. Foods will be attractively presented and attention will be given to the meal environment. A balance should be found that allows for attractive presentation (e.g. plastic or non-iron tablecloths, placemats, flowers) and efficient management of clean up and smooth transition to quite time activities and or rest. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | No child should be propped up on a pillow unsupervised or left in their cot whilst having a bottle. Times and consumed amounts are to be documented for parents and communication with fellow educators. Procedures infant formula: parents/guardians are required to provide infant formula parents/guardians are asked to label all bottles and containers clearly with the name of the formula and the child’s full name parents/guardians are asked to hand all bottles and formula to educators on arrival to the service or place in the appropriate fridge Formula milk should not be placed in the door of the fridge due to the frequent opening of the fridge throughout the day. parents/guardians are encouraged to bring bottles filled with boiled water and measure the correct amount of formula for each bottle and put each amount per bottle into separate containers, and formula can be heated in the microwave with the lid of the bottle taken off. All milk is gently shaken and temperature checked prior to giving to infants. Cooled boiled water will be offered to children less than 12 months or on request. Children under 12 months old are to be nursed and engaged with during bottle feeding time. No child should be propped up on a pillow unsupervised or left in their cot whilst having a bottle. Times and consumed Times and consumed amounts are to be documented for parents and communication with fellow educators. Educators will communicate with Parents/guardians of babies with regard to their child’s current food and drink requirements on commencement at the centre and as the introduction of solid foods begin. The Dietary Requirements Form needs to be completed by parents/guardians to inform the cook the foods that have been introduced. Infant feeding: age appropriate food and textures are provided in accordance with State Guidelines in the Healthy Eating Advisory Service/ Menu Planning For Babies Foods should be introduced slowly and carefully, at home. Parents/guardians should inform educators when new foods are introduced and any reactions that may have occurred. A cup can be introduced around 6 months, to teach infants the skill of sipping drinks from a cup For infants over the age of 6 months or for those who are not exclusively breastfed, tap water is preferred as the only other fluid in infant feeding (as consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines) but this should be boiled and cooled for infants until 12 months of age. Only foods that have been introduced to babies at home will be served to them at the service. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Community partnerships Partnerships are created with the local community including Council Maternal and Child Health professionals to consult with if needing guidance and to increase service capacity to promote healthy eating. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| Child Family ServEarly YearsPolicies & Procedures ManualEarly Years Policies | Early Years Services will promote and support parents/guardians and children in the development of healthy food habits, promoting relaxed and social mealtimes/snack times. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |