This document discusses the role of policy in promoting human health and nutrition security in Australia. It notes that an estimated 5% of Australians are food insecure, while high rates of overweight and obesity exist. The document advocates for policies across the entire food system to increase access to affordable, nutritious foods. This includes supporting local food production and procurement, as well as initiatives to promote purchasing of healthier options. Government policy needs to focus on both the quantity and quality of available food to improve diets and reduce disease risk.

1. Shauna Downs
Menzies Centre for Health Policy
The University of Sydney
HUMAN HEALTH AND NUTRITION
SECURITY IN AUSTRALIA
What is the role of policy?

2. Waskaganish, Québec
NUTRITION SECURITY: All people at all times consume food of sufficient
quantity in calories and quality in terms of variety, diversity, nutrient
content and safety to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an
active and healthy life (FAO)

3. Nutrition Scenario in Australia
• Estimated that 5% of the overall Australian
population are food insecure
– Vulnerable groups (15-24%): Indigenous people,
unemployed, single parent households, low income
earners, young people, refugees, etc.
• High rates of overweight and obesity
− Approximately 61% of adults and 25% of children
(AIHW, 2010; AIFS, 2011)
INCREASED RISK OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

4. Quantity over Quality of food?

5. Quantity AND Quality of food

6. Healthy and sustainable food is more
expensive
(Barosh et al. ANZJPH; 2014 38(1), 7-12)

7. Intervening across the food system
(Growing food security Alberta)
AVAILABILITY, AFFORDABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF
NUTRITIOUS FOODS

8. Increasing access to affordable healthy
foods: the role of policy
Agricultural production
Processing
Distribution and Retail
Labelling and Promotion
• Incentives for horticulture and crop
diversification
• Investment in R&D and technology
• Investment in local production
• Healthier ingredients in food processing
(e.g., less salt, sugar and unhealthy fat)
• Food fortification
• Economic incentives (taxes and
subsidies)
• Zoning laws
• Farm-to-school programs
• Community and school gardens
• Improved labelling (leads to product
reformulation)
• Restrictions on food marketing

9. Local examples of using policy to
improve access to nutritious foods

10. Policies to promote local food
production
• Brazil and Japan: 30% of food procured for
school lunches must be purchased from local
farmers
– United States (Missouri, Hawaii, New Jersey)
• Caribbean and Pacific island countries:
community food projects to promote the domestic
cultivation of fruit and vegetables in place of
imported food products
BENEFITS FARMERS AND CONSUMERS
(WCRF, Nourishing Framework; Politico Pro Agriculture)

11. Policies to promote the purchase of
healthier foods
• Increasing access to fresh food in New York City
– NYC green carts
– Prescriptions for fruits and vegetables for low-
income families at risk of non-communicable
diseases

12. 30% food consumed sourced within 50km by 2020

14. Conclusions
• Government policy needs to focus on increasing
both the quantity and quality of food
• Policy interventions are needed across the entire
food supply chain
• Local governments have a key role to play in
terms of developing policies that support
improving the availability, affordability and
acceptability of healthier foods