Hungry for Change: Shaping Food Policies Conference

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Sydney Food Fairness Alliance (SFFA) is holding a number of public events to debate the future of food in Sydney and NSW, culminating in a Food Summit in October 2009.

About Sydney Food Fairness Alliance

Sydney Food Fairness Alliance (SFFA) was formed in 2005 to coordinate the efforts of rural producers, health professionals, community workers and community- based advocates active in developing a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable food system.

During 2009 it will be holding a series of public events in regional areas including the Illawarra, Central Coast, South West Sydney, Central Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

These will culminate in a two-day Food Summit on Thursday, 22 and Friday, 23 October.

The issues we will be debating include:

Access to healthy food:

increasing cost of staple foods to consumers.

impact of poor diets on Australia’s rising obesity and diabetes levels.

Planning for healthy food supply:

Urban development is consuming fertile agricultural land that
currently supplies Greater Metropolitan Sydney with many fresh foods

Health and food safety:

Our children may have a lower life expectancy because of increases in chronic disease linked to poor nutrition and overweight.

The use of pesticides and fertilisers in current agricultural practices needs to be reviewed.

New food technologies such as genetic modification and nanotechnology need further investigation.

Sustainable agriculture:

72% of NSW is in drought (September 2008) and this is having a major impact on agricultural production.

“Peak oil” (decreasing oil supply) challenges our current agricultural production and supply systems.

We could reduce our agricultural carbon footprint by encouraging sustainable local food supplies.

Climate change is predicted to adversely affect food production.

Advocating for a co-ordinated approach to the future of food in NSW.

The Food Summit events aim to bring together concerned individuals and organisations to debate the future of food in NSW, and to urge the NSW and local governments to work with us to coordinate planning that will secure access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food for all.

Governments in many other cities and countries around the world have started to undertake similar planning processes, involving producers, consumers, government, environmental experts and water authorities.

More info www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au