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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSTAINABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Ensure waterwise practices, including the use of Council’s portable Water bubbler. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| SUSTAINABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Encourage food vendors to use sustainable equipment including reusable and/or biodegradable cutlery, plates, bowls etc. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| SUSTAINABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT POLICY | Ensure waterwise practices, including the use of Council’s portable Water bubbler. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Camden | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | 4. Catering The production and transportation of food can have detrimental environmental outcomes. Selecting an appropriate food type and quantity of food are some of the most important elements of a sustainable event. When organising catering for an event please consider the following points: Always cater to the number of people attending. Do not over cater. Select healthy, sustainable food (fresh, locally produced, seasonal, fair trade, and not individually wrapped items). Ask attendees to advise dietary requirements (including any allergens) in advance to avoid food wastage. Choose caterers that can provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and ethical menu options. Provide jugs and glasses for water instead of bottled water where appropriate. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Promote the sustainability of your event wherever possible by: – Clearly label all sustainability measures e.g. signs on bins, signs indicating when food is organic, fair-trade and/or local produced. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | The Sustainable Event Management policy further supports these principles through consideration of issues such as products used, waste collection, management systems, catering choices, carbon reduction, marketing options, social impacts and financial management in all Council events. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Food and Catering at Outdoor Events Significant amounts of leftover food can be donated to OzHarvest. Please call 02 9516 3877 or email foodpickup.syd@ozharvest.org for more assistance | Health and Wellbeing | Nutrition in vulnerable populations | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Promote the sustainability of your event wherever possible by: – Clearly label all sustainability measures e.g. signs on bins, signs indicating when food is organic, fair-trade and/or local produced | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Provide information about sustainability measures incorporated into the event, for example the use of organic, fair trade and/or local foods, recycling bins, composting collection points, water filling stations etc. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Outdoor Events A filtered water refill station should be used at large outdoor events. The filling station allows people to refill their own water bottle. Contact Ashfield Council’s Sustainability Department for more information and use of the water refill station. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Provide information about sustainability measures incorporated into the event, for example the use of organic, fair trade and/or local foods, recycling bins, composting collection points, water filling stations etc. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Provide jugs and glasses for water instead of bottled water where appropriate. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Ensure recycling and waste bins are available at your event and are easily accessible. This may includes green waste bins that can be emptied at Council’s basement worm farm (see Appendix C to learn what foods can go to the worm farm). Please contact Sustainability Department if you require assistance locating these bins. | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Unwanted food can be taken to the worm farm located in Council’s basement (see Appendix C to learn what foods can go to the worm farm). | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | 5. Waste Management To help minimise the amount of waste generated at events, follow the waste hierarchy “avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle” before, during and after your event. To assist with the correct disposal of waste generated at events, consider the following points: Ensure recycling and waste bins are available at your event and are easily accessible. This may includes green waste bins that can be emptied at Council’s basement worm farm (see Appendix C to learn what foods can go to the worm farm). Please contact Sustainability Department if you require assistance locating these bins. Ensure there are sufficient numbers of bins that are clearly labelled indicating type of bin (recycling, green waste or general waste). Please advise participants at the event where the bins are located and ensure that waste is disposed of correctly. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Discuss with Council’s Sustainability Department and Waste Services about providing organic waste facilities at outdoor food events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Food and Catering at Outdoor Events Significant amounts of leftover food can be donated to OzHarvest. Please call 02 9516 3877 or email foodpickup.syd@ozharvest.org for more assistance. Discuss with Council’s Sustainability Department and Waste’s Services about providing organic waste facilities at outdoor food events. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Organise with Council’s Waste Services Department the use of bottle chute recycling lids, this will prevent waste contamination entering recycle facilities | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Provide all stall holders selling food at Council’s large outdoor events (i.e. Food Festival and Carnival of Cultures) with a ‘Going Green’ fact sheet (Appendix A). This fact sheet provides stall holders with the preferred reusable, biodegradable or recyclable packaging and food ware to be used at these events. A list of local sustainability packaging distributers can also be provider to event stall holders (Appendix B) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Provide information about sustainability measures incorporated into the event, for example the use of organic, fair trade and/or local foods, recycling bins, composting collection points, water filling stations etc. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Small amounts of leftover food from events or meetings can be taken back to staff kitchens to be consumed by peers. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Unwanted food can be taken to the worm farm located in Council’s basement (see Appendix C to learn what foods can go to the worm farm). | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Use reusable serving ware (plates, cups, cutlery etc.) where possible. – Council staff can use a catering kit containing reusable crockery and cutlery for events up to 20 people. The kit can be borrowed from the Sustainability Department on level 5. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | When organising catering for an event please consider the following points: Always cater to the number of people attending. Do not over cater. Select healthy, sustainable food (fresh, locally produced, seasonal, fair trade, and not individually wrapped items). Ask attendees to advise dietary requirements (including any allergens) in advance to avoid food wastage. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Inner West | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Internal Council events The Sustainable Events Checklist (SEC) will be available to all Council staff organising internal Council events and Council’s Environment and Sustainability team will be an available resource for any support needed by internal event organisers to fulfil the requirements of the SEC. Internal event organisers will be provided with the following supporting resources to ensure that the requirements of the SEC are met: • Sustainable Catering Products for Council Events • Sustainable Caterers Guide | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Major events run by Council An Event and Sustainability Risk Management Plan (ESRMP) must be completed and submitted for major events run by Council. The ESRMP must demonstrate that any mandatory requirements will be implemented and that other sustainability aspects have been considered and incorporated, where possible. The ESRMP must be completed by Council’s Visitor Experience & Events team and submitted to the (i) Risk Management; (ii) Waste Services; and (iii) Environment and Sustainability teams for approval. Events will not go ahead without the submission and approval of a satisfactory ESRMP. Staff from Council’s Environment and Sustainability team will be an available resource for any support needed by event organisers to fulfil the requirements of the ESRMP. Event organisers who are required to submit an ESRMP will be provided with the following supporting resources to ensure that the requirements of the ESRMP are met: • Sustainable Event Stallholder Guidelines • Sustainable Catering Products for Council Events • Sustainable Caterers Guide | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy | Minor Council events A Sustainable Events Checklist (SEC), provided by Council, must be completed and submitted for minor Council events. The SEC must demonstrate that any mandatory requirements will be implemented and that other sustainability aspects have been considered and incorporated, where possible. The SEC must be submitted to the Environment and Sustainability team for approval. For the delivery of a series of events of a similar nature the annual submission and approval of a SEC is all that is required. Staff from Council’s Environment and Sustainability team will be an available resource for any support needed by event organisers to fulfil the requirements of the SEC. Event organisers who are required to submit a SEC will be provided with the following supporting resources to ensure that the requirements of the SEC are met. • Sustainable Catering Products for Council Events • Sustainable Caterers Guide | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Ku-ring-gai | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy for Special Events | 5.2.3 Check and Review The following reviews will be carried out and reported back to council: • Implementation checklists (catering, venue, waste, marketing and promotion and education / training) will be evaluated according to QBL objectives. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy for Special Events | Catering – Policy requires that catering choices give preference to local production, minimal waste, local suppliers. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |
| Sustainable Event Management Policy for Special Events | Encourage the use of potable water instead of bottled water | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Fairfield | Metropolitan |