iStock - OksanaKiian
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has received $345,412 in Healthway funding over three years to expand the Food Community program, supporting the co-design and delivery of systems change tools and training for organisations facilitating food security initiatives.
Delivered in partnership with the WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS), the program will bring together research expertise and community sector leadership to support local action across the Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley, Midwest, Peel, Pilbara, South West and Wheatbelt regions.
This next phase of the Food Community program will bolster local food networks, including co-operatives, social enterprises, community gardens, food relief providers, local and state government, growers and health services.
It will strengthen collaboration between community organisations and government, and help ensure local voices inform food policies. The work will be guided by how local food networks operate in the context of each region.
"This funding will build on years of learning about the programs and services already happening across Western Australia's regions to support food security," Associate Professor of Food and Nutrition Security and core member of the Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute, Stephanie Godrich said.
"We look forward to working with regional communities to share knowledge about food security, strengthen collaboration and shape local food policies."
Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn presenting ECU's Healthway grant to Associate Professor of Food and Nutrition Security Stephanie Godrich.
Healthway's latest investment builds on its longstanding support of ECU's successful Food Community Project, which initially began as a pilot program in 2018.
Since then, the project has strengthened food security action across regional WA, growing from a single region into a statewide initiative.
Healthway CEO Colin Smith said Healthway has supported the Food Community Project from the beginning and is committed to its next stage of growth.
"Creating healthier communities starts with making sure people can access healthy, affordable food," Mr Smith said.
"We've seen the impact this initiative can have when communities lead the way. This investment will help turn local ideas into action, improving access to healthy food across regional WA."
