From Food Relief to Food Resilience: The Commons – A Community Initiative
- Jan 25
- 2 min read
Food insecurity exists and is an issue that's largely hidden in South Gippsland. Fixing food insecurity in an area so food abundant, yet with so many who have poor food security, must be seen as a priority. Food relief is a crucial support for those facing hunger, but it's just the beginning. We need to shift from food relief to towards food resilience, where communities are empowered to access healthy, affordable food, even in challenging times.
The Commons is a powerful example of a key element of this transition. This community-led initiative will help in transforming local food systems by:
Cultivating community gardens, farms and building local food systems: Providing spaces for people to grow food and connect with others and nature.
Supporting local people: Strengthening local food economies and reducing reliance on distant supply chains.
Offering cooking and nutrition classes: Empowering individuals to make informed food choices and prepare healthy meals.
Creating food hubs: Providing access to fresh, affordable, culturally appropriate produce and reducing food waste.
The Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is a stark reminder of the importance of food resilience. Recent disasters like the Black Summer bushfires, the COVID pandemic, and intense flooding that occurred around Lismore exposed the vulnerability of relying on long, complex supply chains. When roads were cut off and supermarkets were empty (supermarkets in Lismore were empty for weeks or up to 4 months for major supermarkets), local food networks and community initiatives like local markets became lifelines.
Learning from these experiences, we can and are building a more sustainable and equitable food future. Join us in supporting initiatives like The Commons and let's activate the move from food relief to food resilience!
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