Share your view on local food

THE Surf Coast Shire is seeking community views on how to support and grow a local food program.

The council adopted a discussion paper at its meeting on Tuesday and are inviting comment between February and April.

Cr Carol McGregor said the shire was seeking to facilitate a broad community conversation about food grown here.

“The premise of the discussion paper is that local food production and consumption brings many benefits.

“There are many positives to supporting a local food system – including economic, social, environmental, and health and wellbeing benefits.

“The discussion paper recognises that Surf Coast Shire has a well-established food system and identifies a series of different elements to the system – production, processing, distribution, access, consumption and waste management.”

Shire mayor David Bell said the council recognised there were many great ideas and activities already under way.

“Our engagement is aiming to create a forum for our community to explore the possibilities inherent in our food system.

“So I urge people to get involved – local food is so many things to so many people.”

Cr McGregor said the Local Food Program would complement the Surf Coast Shire’s Hinterland Futures Strategy.

“The Local Food Program is taking a broad look at our local food system from community and food economy perspectives and the Hinterland Futures work is focused primarily at land use planning.

“Local food production is already an important part of the Surf Coast Shire economy, especially in the hinterland.

“Through the Local Food Program, we have a golden opportunity to gather ideas and evidence on how, as a community, we can build on the inherent potential to grow a sustainable food system in Surf Coast Shire.”