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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | The menu is aligned with the Health Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) Information regarding the child’s eating patterns, likes, dislikes and cultural background is sought from families on enrolment Menus are developed through consultation between the chef, coordinator, families, educators and children Families of children with any special dietary needs are asked to provide details and appropriate information about these needs Food is provided at regular and frequent intervals to satisfy the nutritional needs of children Families are advised on children’s eating habits and at times offered of alternatives that are discussed and agreed upon between families and educators The drinking of water is actively encouraged and provided at regular and frequent intervals and on demand especially in hot weather. While acknowledging that children have different needs to adults in relation to fat intake this is reduced by: Trimming all visible fat from meat and removing skin from chicken Spreading margarine very thinly Using only minimal amounts of polyunsaturated fats in cooking Not providing fried foods. The intake of sugar is reduced by: Providing foods which have low or no added sugar Where possible, using recipes requiring no or minimal sugar Ensuring foods with a high sugar content are only provided infrequently and in moderation. When purchasing food low, reduced or no added salt foods are chosen and: Preference is given to food with no added salt Salt is not added to food prepared at the service. High risk foods linked to choking are minimised and: Raw food such as apple, celery and carrot are provided either grated, cooked or mashed for children under three Meat is given in small bite size pieces, minced or pureed Other high-risk foods such as nuts are not provided. Weekly menus are displayed on the notice board and recipes available to families on request. | Health and Wellbeing | Healthy/sustainable LG food procurement policies | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Fundraising, advertisements and sponsorship will align with this policy and reflect the Healthy Eating principles. | Health and Wellbeing | Restrict unhealthy food advertising; increase healthy food promotion | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | A variety of training and collaboration with the Achievement Program to reach required benchmarks of the program. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Children will be encouraged to try different foods but will never be forced to eat. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Communicate to families, where practical, the amount their child has eaten and drank, their food preferences and interests while attending the service. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Displays the policy near the kitchen and in the policy document Communicates nutritional information to all educators and families through newsletters, displays, pamphlets, books and information sessions. 2 | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Food Handling Training provided to educators and updated regularly to ensure current best practice information around nutrition | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Help one another and observe simple courtesies, such as waiting their turn to receive food and are supported in correct utensil use | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Include nutritionally focused educational activities within the program to broaden children's awareness of a wide variety of food and the links between health and nutrition Encourage families attending the service to choose healthy food options and information is provided to families regarding healthy food options for their child Information on nutrition, food handling and storage will be displayed at the service and provided to parents Parents will be encouraged to pack water only for their child. Fizzy and sugary drinks will be sent home, with a positive explanation regarding the health benefits of water. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Include nutritionally focused educational activities within the program to broaden children's awareness of a wide variety of food and the links between health and nutrition Encourage families attending the service to choose healthy food options and information is provided to families regarding healthy food options for their child Information on nutrition, food handling and storage will be displayed at the service and provided to parents Parents will be encouraged to pack water only for their child. Fizzy and sugary drinks will be sent home, with a positive explanation regarding the health benefits of water. En | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Supports educators and families to access resources and professional development to support oral health and healthy eating. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Use a worm farm or composting bin to reduce food waste in the service. Children will be encouraged to place food scraps into separate containers for use in the worm farm or composting bin. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Use a worm farm or composting bin to reduce food waste in the service. Children will be encouraged to place food scraps into separate containers for use in the worm farm or composting bin. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Displays the policy near the kitchen and in the policy document Communicates nutritional information to all educators and families through newsletters, displays, pamphlets, books and information sessions. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Food handling information provided to families Copies of training are displayed or in educators files. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Food handling information provided to families Copies of training are displayed or in educators files. 2 | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Invite families to at least one food occasion each year. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Invite families to at least one food occasion each year. C | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Provide positive role modelling to children regarding food, nutrition, eating habits and attitudes to food Use meal times as an opportunity to encourage positive eating habits, interactions, discussions and an appreciation of the variety of food and the benefits of tap water Meal times will be used as a positive experience to discuss the importance of healthy food and drink options Educators avoid placing their own personal values and attitudes on food in front of the children Encourage children where appropriate, assist in preparing tables for lunch including clearing, cleaning and setting tables Children and educators are encouraged where possible to serve smaller serves with second helpings available | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This Operational Guidelines Handbook | Children will be encouraged to try different foods but will never be forced to eat. Children’s food likes and dislikes and their family’s religious and cultural beliefs regarding food will always be respected. | Health and Wellbeing | Traditional food cultures | Victoria | Port Phillip | Metropolitan |
| This research summary | second is to assess planning applications and issue planning permits. The third is to work with the state government, housing associations and developers to increase affordable housing within the municipality. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| This research summary | What is Council’s role in relation to affordable housing? Council has three key responsibilities in relation to housing. The first is to ensure that land is appropriately zoned and densities are appropriate for residential purposes. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Hobsons Bay | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Continue promotion of smart and secure lifestyles with regard to energy/water/food/waste and the importance of valuing the health of natural systems by protecting and conserving: habitats, soils, waterways, fauna and flora | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Continue promotion of urban food production and replacement of lawns through household and community gardening workshops | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | reduced meat in diets | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Support the Climate Wise theme, ‘smart and secure – energy/water/food/waste’ | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Food: locally or home grown and cooked, more farmers market, less food miles, reduced meat in diets | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | In 1998, Council endorsed GreenPrint for a Sustainable City with five stretch goals: 1. Zero climate damage 2. Zero extinctions 3. Zero pollution 4. Zero soil degradation 5. Zero waste | Sustainability and Environment | Sustainable local food production | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Continue promotion of urban food production and replacement of lawns through household and community gardening workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Food production on LG land | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |
| To maximise opportunities to respond to this challenge, Council has prepared the Climate 2020 – A Climate and Energy Action Plan to direct Council and the community in moving forward. | Continue promotion of urban food production and replacement of lawns through household and community gardening workshops | Sustainability and Environment | Home and community gardening | Victoria | Manningham | Metropolitan |