Canberra Region Local Food Strategy
Summary
Released June 2024, the Canberra Region Local Food Strategy (the Strategy) establishes a robust food and agriculture policy for the ACT and recognises:
- the value of the ACT and local region’s food production sector, and
- the people working across these supply chains.
The Strategy aims to increase the capacity of the local food system to improve access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. It also provides incentives and economic opportunities, including job creation and supporting strong community participation and inclusion.
The Strategy has three important implementation elements.
- A local food chain infrastructure study on the feasibility for a potential ‘food hub’ to support the local food system. The study will explore the opportunities to support small-medium size local food producers in the region with food packaging, distribution, storage, and networking.
- An examination of opportunities to utilise suitable ACT Government land for potential opportunities for urban agriculture activities to be co-located with suitable ACT Heritage sites.
- A platform to help educate Canberrans on how to grow food in the ACT. It will draw together the expertise of food growing community groups of the ACT and provide a head-start for those wanting to start their own food growing journey.