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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | • Residents in urban Bendigo and Marong receive a fortnightly organics collection service for all food and garden waste • Organics bins are available at events • Organics collection turned into compost that community groups and organisations can apply for • Organics trial with food businesses in Bendigo • Organics trial with schools and child care centres within Bendigo and Marong areas – schools also receive a free compost bin when participating in the organics collection • 6 schools not receiving organics collection received worm farms in 2018/2019 | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | • Support fresh local produce to be rescued and distributed to educational, organisational and community settings | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | • Support the implementation of food waste educational opportunities for community members and professionals (i.e. composting workshops) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | • Work with food retailers, food service providers and the community to reduce food waste (i.e. community campaign) • Develop Guidelines for external facilitated events regarding food and waste (i.e. healthy, local content, minimising food waste, nude food) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | 4. Reduce and divert food waste from landfill | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Action Lead Organisation 4.8 Investigate how an increase in Biomix compost made from City of Greater Bendigo’s Organics Waste can be re-distributed back into the Greater Bendigo Community 4.9 Better utilise the knowledge and skill base of community gardens and schools for example, as demonstration sites for organic waste 4.10 Contribute to and leverage off LaTrobe University’s ‘Internet of Things’ unit and research 4.11 Develop Guidelines for external facilitated events regarding food and waste (healthy, local content, minimising food waste, nude food) 4.12 Promote and encourage water trailers and drinking fountains over single use plastic bottles at community and Council supported events 4.13 Support excess food to be donated to emergency food relief agencies and cooking clubs 4.14 Develop a food waste reduction policy for the major events held at the Bendigo Showgrounds 4.15 Support the utilisation of Bendigo Foodshare’s Food Donations app City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Greater Bendigo Short City of Greater Bendigo Project Partners Priority Short Evidence / what success looks like An investigation is undertaken and recommendation provided City of Greater Bendigo Medium School and community gardens are utilised for demonstration sites for organic waste City of Greater Bendigo La Trobe University Ongoing City of Greater Bendigo contribute to La Trobe University’s ‘Internet of Things’ unit and research Guidelines have been developed City of Greater Bendigo Greater Ongoing Bendigo’s Food System Strategy Reference Group Coliban Water Bendigo Foodshare Bendigo Regional Food Alliance Ongoing Excess food is donated and utilised by emergency food relief agencies, community meal programs and cooking clubs Bendigo Agricultural Show Society Inc. City of Greater Bendigo Ongoing • Food waste reduction policy has been developed • Major events divert leftover food from events from reaching landfill Greater Bendigo’s Food System Strategy Reference Group Bendigo Foodshare Healthy Greater Bendigo Ongoing The Food Donations app is well utilised and supporting food fit for human consumption from ending up in landfill Water trailers are utilised at community and city supported events | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Actions to eliminate the use of single-use plastics are being addressed in the working documents currently being drafted by the Resource Recovery and Education unit at City of Greater Bendigo | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Bendigo Foodshare Over 12,400 people every week have improved food security through the work of over 120 volunteers at Bendigo Foodshare. An incredible 650,000 kgs of food that would otherwise go to waste (food that would have ended up in landfill) was donated by over 30 local producers and retailers in 201819. The rescue of this food not only helps people in need, but also reduces CO2 emissions from landfill and prevents the waste of the water used in its production. The food is distributed to those in need by 87 partner organisations, including schools, charities, neighbourhood houses, health services and community organisations. The current ‘Grow a Row or Pick a Branch’ campaign has engaged over 400 people and doubled the volume of fresh food donations from backyards, schools, community gardens and retailers. The food that is donated supports schools to provide breakfast and lunches to children who would otherwise go hungry, provides food for community meals and cooking programs and food for those experiencing food poverty. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Evidence / what success looks like • Fresh produce is rescued and distributed to key settings • The number and type of settings that fresh produce is rescued from, including amount of produce rescued | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | In Greater Bendigo, currently over 10,000 tonnes of organic waste is diverted from landfill within the municipality through the City’s organics collection that was introduced in 2016. This service was introduced as kerbside audits found that over 50% of household waste was organic in nature. This service reaches approximately 38,000 households within the Bendigo and Marong areas. The City offers schools and child care centres within the Bendigo and Marong areas to participate in the collection as well as trialling the collection with food businesses within Bendigo | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | • All of Greater Bendigo’s sport and recreation facilities are implementing the HCG • Case studies are developed on facilities that have achieved the HCG | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Objective 4: Reduce and divert food waste from landfill | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | 1.2 Continue to support implementation of the Healthy Choices Guidelines (HCG) in sport and recreation settings | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Objective 4: Reduce and divert food waste from landfill Key One Planet Living progress measures Zero Waste • Percentage of the Organics Collection collected and diverted from landfill • Amount of the Organics compost (Biomix) redistributed to community groups and education settings within Greater Bendigo Action 4.1 Investigate feasibility of expanding City of Greater Bendigo’s household Organics Collection to reach more townships within the municipality 4.2 Continue to promote and expand the City’s Organics collection to schools and food businesses 4.3 Develop and implement a new Waste Resource Management Strategy for beyond the period of 20142019 4.4 Investigate opportunities for Our Future Workplace to become a ‘zero food waste’ building (pilot with temporary site/s and transition into ‘Our Future Workplace’) 4.5 Support the implementation of food waste educational opportunities for community members and professionals (i.e. composting workshops) 4.6 Continue to offer worm farms and compost bin subsidies for residents in rural townships outside of the Organics boundary 4.7 Work with food retailers, food service providers and the community to reduce food waste (i.e. community campaign) Lead Organisation City of Greater Bendigo Project Partners Priority Short Evidence / what success looks like • Feasibility has been investigated (report) • The Organics Collection reaches more townships within the municipality compared with 2019/2020 financial year City of Greater Bendigo Short • Number of schools and food businesses engaged in program (comparison from 2019/2020 financial year) City of Greater Bendigo Medium A new Strategy has been developed and implemented for the period beyond 20142019 City of Greater Bendigo Short – medium Opportunities have been investigated and Our Future Workplace is a ‘zero food waste’ building City of Greater Bendigo Loddon Mallee Waste Resource Recovery Group Ongoing • Food waste educational opportunities for community members and professionals are held each year • Reach evaluation data City of Greater Bendigo Ongoing Residents outside the Organics boundary have the opportunity to obtain worm farms and compost bin subsidies City of Greater Bendigo Bendigo Foodshare Ongoing A community campaign is developed and implemented to encourage food retailers, food service providers and the general community to reduce food waste | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | 11 Review and update the City’s Healthy Food and Catering Policy as required | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Support emergency food relief agencies to access and rescue fresh, local produce to distribute to educational, organisational and community settings | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | All of the City’s early childhood services have a healthy eating policy that ensures the food is provided in line with the State Government’s Healthy Choices Guidelines for Early Childhood Services (traffic light system) L | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | The City’s fortnightly Organics Collection introduced in 2016 has diverted over 10,000 tonnes of organics waste from landfill. For a complete list of the food systems | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Develop and implement City of Greater Bendigo’s Healthy Facilities Policy which sets expectations for users of Council facilities and future facility design with regards to the HCG i.e. catering, sponsorship, advertising and signage, vending machines, food retail | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | the Grow a Row, Pick a Branch campaign that encourages residents, community and school gardens to donate excess fresh produce to Bendigo Foodshare and local cooking clubs | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Healthy food at the City’s Early Childhood Services | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Waste Resource Management Strategy 2014-2019 The strategy aims to: • Reduce waste and increase resource recovery • Focus on diverting organic waste from landfill to minimise current and future financial and environmental liabilities • Provide an efficient, convenient and safe resource management system for residents • Develop partnerships throughout Victoria to develop and deliver sustainable services • Minimise the costs and risks to ratepayers • Support innovation in resource management and look for opportunities to maximise sector development in Greater Bendigo • Reduce the incidence of illegal dumping and littering | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Increase access to healthy food options for patients, clients, visitors and staff at Bendigo Health through meeting the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices Guidelines | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Advocate for changes to regulations that are prohibitive to small and medium food businesses (including farm gates) while maintaining food safety requirements | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Support implementation of the Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices Guidelines in sport and recreation settings and investigate expanding the Healthy Choices Guidelines to other settings | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Ensuring the community has access to safe food | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Supporting early learning centers and kindergartens through the program (‘eat well’ a key health priority area) • There are 38 ELC’s implementing Smiles4Miles | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | Local laws to ensure food businesses are operating in a safe and healthy manner through food business registrations and commercial kitchens as well as food safety education for food businesses, community groups, food stakeholders and residents | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | The City’s Healthy Food and Catering Policy The purpose of this policy is to promote healthy and culturally appropriate food and drink purchase and consumption choices to employees and the community as part of the City’s commitment to health, safety and wellbeing. Areas of focus include: • Catering • Sponsorships • Fundraising • Gifts • Vending machines The policy also aims to reduce the overall spend on catering, ensuring all City purchases of food and drinks are financially and environmentally responsible | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |
| GREATER BENDIGO’S FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY 2020-2030 | The Victorian Government’s Healthy Choices Guidelines adopted for catering, food service outlets and vending machines | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Bendigo | Regional |