The NSW Government is committed to supporting the community to reduce the amount of food wasted.
The Environment Protection Authority is committed to supporting the community to reduce the amount of food that is wasted in NSW. In addition to the development of the Love Food Hate Waste program, the NSW Government, through its Environmental Trust has provided over $7.7 million over four years, for Local Government projects which address the sustainability of local food systems and food waste recovery.
Major projects
There are three major regional programs being implemented in NSW that address sustainable food systems including:
Future Proofing Northern Rivers Communities Project.
This project seeks to reduce the impacts of climate change and the contribution that food production, distribution and consumption makes to greenhouse gas emissions by reducing reliance on food sourced from outside the region and increasing adoption of more sustainable food production practices. This project is being implemented by eight project partners in the north-east region of NSW (Rous River and Lismore, Byron, Ballina, Tweed, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley Councils).
Illawarra Biodiversity and Local Food Strategy.
Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour Councils, as part of the Urban Sustainability Program are developing a Local Food Strategy. The Strategy uses sustainability, health promotion, economic and community development approaches to support an equitable and sustainable community food system in the region.
Local Food Futures Project.
The Local Food Futures project is being developed to address the global threats of climate change and peak oil. The need to develop a sustainable, resilient local food system is seen as key to the community’s ability to adapt to future social, environmental and economic challenges. This project is being implemented by Coffs Harbour and Bellingen Councils.
Although the scale of these specific projects and activities differ, all three of these food projects will provide long term strategic planning frameworks for their regions to support and improve local food production systems.
This will increase local food security, improve local food sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions and transport relating to food. They will also build community knowledge and skills around sustainable sourcing and consumption of food.
More food recovery projects in NSW
Three other major Urban Sustainability Program projects are currently being undertaken to address the reduction and recovery of food and organic waste from households, including education around local nutrient recycling and community connection with the regional food production system. These projects are:
Reducing the Ecological Footprint of the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney Project.
This project is being run by Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils. The Compost Revolution Program and Trial is a component of this major project and food waste avoidance is a key education message.
'That's a good idea!' - Reducing the ecological footprint of Central West Regional Organisations of Councils (CENTROC).
This project is being delivered by the Councils of CENTROC (including Bathurst and the central west of the state). Partnering with the Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), NetWaste and peak agricultural organisations (primarily grape growers and farmers markets) across the region – garden organics from landfill sites will be recycled as part of a soil improvement project. The project will also promote composting and food waste avoidance in the community to reduce the need for organics services across the region.
Groundswell Project.
This project is being implemented by Goulburn-Mulwaree, Queanbeyan, Lachlan and Palerang Councils. The Groundswell Project will measure the sustainability outcomes achieved from a system of collecting organic waste from urban sources and applying the resultant compost products to rehabilitate and retain healthy soils. Organic waste from residents goes to farmers who produce the food purchased by householders.
The focus is upon sustainable agriculture and engaging householders directly with their food production processes. The result is engagement of all stakeholders in the waste stream in a connected loop. This is a driver for change regarding waste minimisation and recycling.
EPA will work closely with Local Government, business, industry and the community to deliver Love Food Hate Waste. EPA is also working on internal policies to avoid food waste in our offices across NSW.