Local evidenced-based policy options to improve food security in South Australia: the use of local knowledge in policy development

Abstract

Objective: To examine realist policy options for the South Australian government to improve food security. Design: Semi-structured interviews with twenty-four key South Australian food security stakeholders. Setting: Food security is a global issue that affects both developing and developed countries. Governments are well placed to improve food security but the solutions are not always evident. Subjects: Policy makers, leaders of non-government organisations, private enterprise and front-line food security workers in South Australia. Results: The research produced forty-four potential policy options for the South Australian government to improve food security. Conclusions: Stakeholders offered detailed policy solutions for the local context. This illustrates how gathering local evidence expands understanding on an issue. The process used to generate these policy options is applicable to other public health problems and other contexts.

What are the determinants of food security among regional and remote Western Australian children?

“…Key recommendations based on prominent themes discussed in this study are summarised in Table . At a food availability level, recommendations include increased support for local food supply options 15,44–46 . For example, land use management that facilitates locally controlled food production, 45 markets and/or community‐driven gardens 6,45 .…”

“…For example, land use management that facilitates locally controlled food production, 45 markets and/or community‐driven gardens 6,45 . Where this is impractical, state and local government facilitation of core‐food freight subsidies 6,17,46,47 or discounts at the store level 6,12,15,44 . Recommendations at a food access level include: equitable distribution of and support for agencies to work in partnership, 44,45 such as conducting ‘food security assessments’ and implementing programs including ‘giving and receiving’ to increase valuing of support and retain dignity; 6,15,45 and support for social networks (i.e.…”

“…At a food availability level, recommendations include increased support for local food supply options. 15,[44][45][46] For example, land use management that facilitates locally controlled food production, 45 markets and/or communitydriven gardens. 6,45 Where this is impractical, state and local government facilitation of core-food freight subsidies 6,17,46,47 or discounts at the store level.…”

“…6,12,15,44 Recommendations at a food access level include: equitable distribution of and support for agencies to work in partnership, 44,45 such as conducting 'food security assessments' and implementing programs including 'giving and receiving' to increase valuing of support and retain dignity; 6,15,45 and support for social networks (i.e. food growing/trading groups) to develop additional communitybased food security options, 44,45 particularly in 'food deserts' 45 where food availability, access, cost and quality are issues. This may increase community empowerment, which can improve financial and social development and health outcomes.…”

Prevalence and socio‐demographic predictors of food insecurity among regional and remote Western Australian children

“…Policy recommendations include: i) incorporating goals and strategies to improve child FS into public health plans or develop stand-alone FS policies; 26,[50][51][52] ii) ensuring that government welfare policies act as both adequate 'safety nets' and 'springboards' out of disadvantage; 4 and iii) supporting the establishment of local employment opportunities in regional and remote areas, to increase financial security among families, particular, equitable access to affordable, nutritious food options for vulnerable groups that are FI should be a priority. 4,12,14,23,26,51,53,54 Recommendations for future research include: i) further investigation and monitoring of FI and its determinants in Australia from multiple perspectives, 8,43,46,56 especially among children, regional and remote residents; 52 and ii) longitudinal research to investigate the impact of FI on children's behaviours and resulting health outcomes.…”