Improving Food Security and Community Resilience in the Northern Rivers

This scoping study aimed to develop an understanding of regional food networks in the Northern Rivers NSW, identify food security challenges and opportunities during recent disaster events and provide recommendations for developing greater resilience within the regional food system.

Recurrent disasters and crises are leading to both short and long-term food supply disturbances in Australia and, due to the high prevalence of disasters, have been felt acutely in the Northern Rivers region. The compounding food security challenges in the Northern Rivers cannot be adequately addressed by linear cause and effect thinking and a food systems approach acknowledges that related activities along the supply chain have wide ranging and intersecting impacts on the environment, populations and economies.

Current literature related to local and regional food in the Northern Rivers was reviewed and 22 interviews with key food system stakeholders from Byron and Lismore local government areas were conducted. The interview results were then analysed across the four pillars of food security (availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability) to identify key themes. These were then documented according to the situational “state” of the NRFS including a) everyday state b) disaster state and c) recovery state.

Compounding disasters present opportunities shifting practices (e.g. to online sales) but are far outweighed by impacts on food infrastructure (e.g. freight transport and uninsured facilities) affordability (e.g. rising food prices) and equitable access (e.g. unsupported food charities). The study found reliance on importing and exporting food is a risk and vulnerability for the region Interviews revealed that community-led and local farmers markets, social networks and retailers adapted quickly following the floods and were able to continue supplying food to the region.

A series of recommendations was then developed highlighting the opportunity to re-think how food is grown, distributed and consumed. Expanding current efforts through transitioning to a circular food economy for the Northern Rivers in 2023 will require:

enhanced food infrastructure through accessible food hubs
support for food produced in the region to be bought and sold locally
arable land protection
awareness and education on the benefits of local food
diversification of food grown and support for Indigenous voices and emerging food sectors
strong governance through a community-led regional food plan and policy council.

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Northern Rivers food security scoping study (2023) (Report)

MEDIA

Supermarket shelves were empty for months after the Lismore floods. Here’s how to make supply chains more resilient - The Conversation, June 20 2023

more information

Regional food system resilience – dialogue with community (2023)