Food system policy making and innovation at the local level: Exploring the response of Australian local governments to critical food systems issues

Summary

This survey of 64 local government authorities in New South Wales and Victoria examined their food system policies and programs. While local governments engaged in diverse food system activities—particularly food waste prevention and community food events—uptake of policies addressing sustainable agriculture, market gardening and food system resilience remained limited. The study identifies internal support, resourcing and partnerships as key enablers, but highlights that short-term funding, governance constraints and restrictive state-level planning frameworks significantly limit local government capacity to advance systemic food system change.

Regional applicability

This study is geographically specific to Australia (New South Wales and Victoria) and reflects Australian governance structures and state-level planning frameworks. However, the findings regarding barriers to local government food system engagement—particularly tensions between short-term project funding and long-term systemic change, and the role of higher-level governance in constraining local action—likely resonate with United Kingdom local authorities. The study's policy recommendations for legislative reform and increased resourcing may inform devolved food policy development in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Key measures

Prevalence of food system-related policies and programs; types of initiatives implemented; perceived enablers (internal support, human resources, external funding, partnerships); perceived barriers (community interest, funding structures, governance issues, state planning frameworks)

Outcomes reported

The study identified policies, programs and initiatives implemented by Australian local governments to address food system issues, and mapped enablers and barriers to their engagement in food system work. Local governments most commonly reported activities in food waste prevention, food-related social events, and water provision, with limited involvement in sustainable agriculture or food system resilience.

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