What is the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA)?
We are an alliance of community-owned, place-based Regional Food Hubs across regional Victoria who work together to reduce the inequity in food security between regional and metropolitan Victorians.
Why are we needed?
In 2020, 5.9% of adults in Victoria ran out of food in the previous 12 months and could not afford more (Victorian Population Health Survey, 2020). VCOSS poverty maps show that in 2021 over 80% of council shires in rural and regional Victoria had poverty rates over 10%. The number of Victorians going hungry is likely to continue to rise as more frequent extreme weather events and supply chain shocks increase prices for essentials such as food, energy, housing and interest rates.
What do we do?
Regional Food Hubs provide a wide range of community led responses to improve food security with initiatives from social supermarkets to market gardens and from cooking classes to supplying emergency food during disasters. We are
- Increasing access to healthy food both directly and in partnership with local Emergency Relief Agencies, schools and Neighbourhood Houses;
- Providing choices to meet dietary needs, cultural requirements and food preferences;
- Developing food literacy and food skills;
- Providing vocational pathways; and
- Engaging the power of volunteers and local communities.
Our Impact
Regional Food Security Alliance Incorporated – Registration Number: A0116563G (Victoria) – ABN: 85659439108