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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Policy | food growers and other food businesses in the Geelong region thrive | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | Facilitation, Advocacy and Leadership – leading by example with the food that we purchase and make available, for sale or otherwise, through council services, events and facilities that council manage or leases. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | Partnerships and Civic Engagement – working in partnership with the community and other levels of government to deliver the food policy, and empowering local residents to participate actively in shaping the region’s food system. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | people have the knowledge and skills to participate actively in shaping the region’s food system. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | we celebrate our cultural and culinary diversity | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | Council’s Food Policy aims to address the challenges facing our food system and leverage opportunities to ‘strengthen the food system and make it healthy, sustainable, prosperous and fair. The food policy considers all aspects of the food system8 that Council can influence, from ‘paddock to plate’ and brings together areas of council policy and operations that are usually considered separately, such as food safety and food waste. The policy will be accompanied by an action plan that sets out the work that the Council will undertake independently and with community partners. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | food is produced and consumed in ways that protect our natural resources and increase the resilience of Geelong’s food system | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | The City of Greater Geelong’s roles in delivering the food policy include: Land Use Planning – using measures in the Local Planning Policy Framework to protect farmland and support community food production10, and advocating to State Government for additional measures to assist farmland protection and increase water security; advocating for the establishment of intensive farming options (land and water based) that are identified as appropriate and sustainable for the region. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | The City of Greater Geelong’s roles in delivering the food policy include: Land Use Planning – using measures in the Local Planning Policy Framework to protect farmland and support community food production10, and advocating to State Government for additional measures to assist farmland protection and increase water security; advocating for the establishment of intensive farming options (land and water based) that are identified as appropriate and sustainable for the region. | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | The City of Greater Geelong’s roles in delivering the food policy include: Land Use Planning – using measures in the Local Planning Policy Framework to protect farmland and support community food production10, and advocating to State Government for additional measures to assist farmland protection and increase water security; advocating for the establishment of intensive farming options (land and water based) that are identified as appropriate and sustainable for the region. | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable water management in food production | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | The City of Greater Geelong’s roles in delivering the food policy include: Land Use Planning – using measures in the Local Planning Policy Framework to protect farmland and support community food production10, and advocating to State Government for additional measures to assist farmland protection and increase water security; advocating for the establishment of intensive farming options (land and water based) that are identified as appropriate and sustainable for the region. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | Council’s Food Policy aims to address the challenges facing our food system and leverage opportunities to ‘strengthen the food system and make it healthy, sustainable, prosperous and fair. The food policy considers all aspects of the food system8 that Council can influence, from ‘paddock to plate’ and brings together areas of council policy and operations that are usually considered separately, such as food safety and food waste. The policy will be accompanied by an action plan that sets out the work that the Council will undertake independently and with community partners. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| Food Policy | Council’s Food Policy aims to address the challenges facing our food system and leverage opportunities to ‘strengthen the food system and make it healthy, sustainable, prosperous and fair. The food policy considers all aspects of the food system8 that Council can influence, from ‘paddock to plate’ and brings together areas of council policy and operations that are usually considered separately, such as food safety and food waste. The policy will be accompanied by an action plan that sets out the work that the Council will undertake independently and with community partners. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Greater Geelong | Regional |
| FOOD POLICY | ECONOMICALLY BALANCED The action: a) Promote balanced economic opportunities for a diverse range of stakeholders involved in food production, processing, distribution, marketing, retail or sale, consumption and waste management, to operate at a local, national or global scale b) Promote the provision of local jobs for local people within the food industry. | Economic Development | Food related job creation | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| FOOD POLICY | 2.3 Support a vibrant and prosperous local food economy | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| FOOD POLICY | ECONOMICALLY BALANCED The action: a) Promote balanced economic opportunities for a diverse range of stakeholders involved in food production, processing, distribution, marketing, retail or sale, consumption and waste management, to operate at a local, national or global scale b) Promote the provision of local jobs for local people within the food industry. | Economic Development | Local food producers | Victoria | Hume | Metropolitan |
| Food Premises – Health Practices | Council strives to achieve high health and safety standards in the preparation and sale of food. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Blacktown | Metropolitan |
| Food Premises Compliance and Enforcement Policy | This policy sets Council direction on compliance and enforcement that will facilitate the effective achievement of the regulatory goals of the Food Act in a manner that is: • authorised by the law; • procedurally fair; • accountable and transparent; • consistent; and • proportionate. The policy recognises that most food businesses want to comply with the law and produce food that is safe; correctly described; labelled and advertised. The compliance and enforcement role of Council is to protect consumers from the minority, who flout the law or act irresponsibly, endangering or defrauding consumers and imposing unfair competition on compliant food businesses. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Upper Lachlan | Regional |
| FOOD PREMISES POLICY | 1. PURPOSE This policy document has been prepared as a guide for the planning and construction of food premises. The implementation of the standards will assist in promoting a satisfactory hygiene standard, facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance with the ultimate achievement of economic operation, preservation and promotion of public health. 1.1 SCORES ON DOORS As part of Council’s food inspection program, every food business undergoes a routine inspection where an authorised officer completes a Food Premises Assessment Report. The outcome of this report will determine a Scores on Doors rating where the premises is scored as either Excellent (5 Star), Very Good (4 Star), Good (3 Star) or No Grade (No Star rating). The Food Premises Assessment Report concentrates on issues relevant to the construction of food premises, including Animals and Pests, Design and Construction and Maintenance. Issues that are specifically referred to within the policy. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Shoalhaven | Regional |
| Food Registration Fee Exemption Policy | That Council exercise its powers pursuant to Section 41A of the Food Act 1984 to vary the fee for registering the following types of food premises and vehicles such that no fee is applicable for registration: 1. Private homes used to prepare or store food for sale by charitable or volunteer organisations. 2. Primary producers who store and/or sell food produced on their own property. 3. Vans, street stalls, fetes and markets where food is sold by service clubs or for charitable purpose. 4. Small kiosks selling confectionary at sporting venues. 5. Sporting clubs having a restricted liquor licence, provided they do not employ a paid administration officer. 6. Halls used only by charitable or volunteer organisations for catering. 7. Retail premises such as service stations and newsagents who sell a small range of food such as confectionary, jams and soft drinks. | Economic Development | Local food initiatives for economic development | Victoria | Moyne | Regional |
| Food safety | All Educators, Staff and others involved in food preparation, storage and/ or handling will ensure: Fruit and vegetables are stored under cover and washed before preparation Packaged foods are stored at appropriate temperatures in designated food storage areas and remain in sealed containers with tight fitting lids once opened. Leftovers are refrigerated/ frozen within 2 hours in shallow containers. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| Food safety | All Educators, Staff and others involved in food preparation, storage and/ or handling will: Follow all established food handling procedures Wash hands before and after handling food Use gloves at all times when handling food, or when serving food Provide children with individual servings of foods, and discourage children from sharing or tasting another child's food Ensure food or eating utensils spilled on the floor will be discarded and replaced Ensure bottles and made up formula are stored in the refrigerator, heated once only and any remnants discarded after consumption Follow displayed procedures for storage and heating of bottles of milk or breast milk. All Cooks will ensure: Thermometers are placed in all refrigerators and the temperature of these checked to ensure they remain below 4 Hot foods are raised above 60 degrees when cooked (70 degrees when reheated) and cold foods kept below 4 degrees Foods are cooled before served to children Raw foods are kept separate from cooked and ready-to-eat food | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| Food safety | Bega Valley Shire Council education and care services will ensure that safe handling practices and temperature control of food are the cornerstones of food safety. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| Food safety | All Educators, Staff and others involved in food preparation, storage and/ or handling will: Complete a food handling course, or be trained on the job by other qualified food handlers and follow all practices for safe preparation, storage and handling of foods. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| Food safety | Uncooked food is not kept above cooked food in the fridge Separate chopping boards and utensils are used for raw, ready-to-eat, and cooked foods All dishes and eating utensils are cleaned and sanitised in the dishwasher before use. If the dishwasher is out of order, then disposable plates and eating utensils will be used | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Bega | Regional |
| Food safety | The purpose of this policy is to meet the requirements of the Food Act 1984, which applies where an early years service is purchasing and providing the food, as part of the fees charged for attendance. Where this is the case our centres are registered with Stonnington Environmental Health Department and undertakes all responsibilities associated with Food Safety. Food Safety Programs and kitchen facilities are audited annually and maintained in accordance with legislative requirements as described in the Food Act 1984. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Stonnington | Metropolitan |
| FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT POLICY | FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT POLICY | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Mosman | Metropolitan |
| Food Safety Compliance Policy | This policy sets out Snowy Monaro Regional Councils (SMRC) approach to Food Safety compliance to support the achievement of outcomes | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| Food Safety Enforcement Policy | Food Safety Enforcement Policy | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | NSW | Snowy Monaro | Regional |
| Food Safety Management Framework | The Shire of Strathbogie Council aims to protect the public health of the community through minimising health risks associated with food produced and sold within the municipality. | Food Quality and Safety | Education on/enforce food safety regulations | Victoria | Strathbogie | Regional |