The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

We can't keep relying on charities and the food industry to supply food after disasters – the government must lead

  • Written by Rachel Carey, Senior Lecturer in Food Systems, The University of Melbourne
We can't keep relying on charities and the food industry to supply food after disasters – the government must lead

Australia is facing yet another “unprecedented” weather event[1] as extreme flooding[2] across Queensland and New South Wales submerges entire towns.

In the immediate aftermath, there’s a new challenge for many Australians in these flood-ravaged areas. On top of damage to houses, livelihoods and water supply, it’s hard to get food. Stores are running short of fresh food[3]. Major supermarkets have been forced to introduce buying limits on some foods[4].

Empty supermarket shelves and temporary food shortages are becoming more common in Australia, due to disruptions in food supply related to the COVID-19 pandemic[5] and extreme weather events[6].

Australia can expect to see extreme weather and disasters such as floods, heatwaves, bushfires and droughts become more common and worse, according to the latest report [7]from the global authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That means food supplies will become disrupted more often and food will cost more[8].

At present, our governments largely rely on the food industry[9] to ensure our supply chains are resilient to these threats. Governments also rely on charities to feed people[10] who are going hungry after disasters.

As climate threats intensify, these responses are not enough. We need government to take the lead.

Empty meat shelf at supermarket
Empty supermarket shelves have become more common during the pandemic and flood disasters. Mick Tsikas/AAP

These shocks affect the entire food system

Climate and pandemic shocks pose real challenges across the food system, from production to transport to consumption. Just in the past few days, floods have washed away or ruined vegetable crops[11] in low lying areas of the Lockyer Valley[12] near Brisbane, a hugely productive horticultural area.

Read more: To protect fresh food supplies, here are the key steps to secure city foodbowls[13]

Fresh food has been damaged in warehouses[14], while the Brisbane Markets[15] had to close due to flood damage.

The Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane is blocked in places, disrupting distribution of food to some supermarkets[16], while emergency food supplies[17] are being provided to flood-affected residents. Food waste is also likely to increase due to crop losses[18], delays in food freight[19] and power outages.

Earlier this year, West Australia had food shortages dubbed “the worst in memory[20]” after heavy flooding washed out 300 kilometres of the only railway linking it to the eastern states.

Food supply shocks have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable

Shocks like floods and the pandemic affect a large number of people through temporary food shortages[21] and rising food prices. But the greatest impact is on people already at risk of food insecurity[22], meaning they may lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food to lead an active and healthy life.

Rates of food insecurity in Australia[23] are highest among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, asylum seekers, people who are unemployed and low-income households.

During the first 12 months of the pandemic, Australian demand doubled[24] for food relief. More people were pushed into food insecurity, including casual workers[25] who lost jobs, temporary migrant workers[26] and international students[27].

A queue of people waiting at the food bank The numbers of people needing food bank assistance was on the rise long before the pandemic. James Ross/AAP

As of 2021, fully one in six (17%) of Australian adults were severely food insecure[28] and 1.2 million children were estimated to be living in food insecure households.

Even before the pandemic, rates of food insecurity were at worrying levels. Demand for food relief in Australia has risen rapidly[29] over the last decade. This points to more systemic causes, such as low levels of income support.

We must make our food systems resilient

Governments urgently need plans to increase the resilience of food systems to shocks and stresses. At present, governments typically have plans to manage emergency food supplies[30] during a disaster.

That’s no longer enough. What we need is a new focus on building the long-term resilience of our food systems to a range of future shocks related to climate change, pandemic and even geopolitical shifts[31] emerging from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What would this look like? Our new infographic[32] identifies key features of a resilient food system, based on our research[33] on the resilience of Melbourne’s food system.

One feature is diversity in where and how we source our food – global and local, large and small scale, commercial and community enterprises, supermarkets and other food markets.

Infographic on food supply
Our infographic of a resilient food supply chain. Supplied, Author provided

Another is a decentralised food supply chain, where food processing, distribution and retail is spread across many locations and organisations. The pandemic has shown us the risks of highly centralised food processing[34] and distribution[35].

We also need to strengthen local and regional food supply chains[36]. Short food supply chains connecting people directly to sources of locally produced food can increase the resilience of food systems[37] when longer food supply chains are disrupted. They can also build local economies[38].

Our governments need to lead

There’s a common belief Australia is a food secure country[39] simply because we produce and export a lot of food.

But food security[40] is about more than the amount of food we produce. It’s also about ensuring we all have access to nutritious food and ensuring our food supplies are resilient.

Read more: What is food insecurity?[41]

We can no longer rely on the food industry and charities to tackle our rising rates of food insecurity and step in after disasters.

Australian governments need food resilience plans where they lay out their strategies to ensure all Australians will have access to enough nutritious food in a world of increasing shocks to food supplies.

Access to adequate food is a fundamental human right[42]. Our governments have a responsibility to help us to realise this right.

References

  1. ^ “unprecedented” weather event (www.theguardian.com)
  2. ^ extreme flooding (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ running short of fresh food (www.abc.net.au)
  4. ^ buying limits on some foods (www.theguardian.com)
  5. ^ COVID-19 pandemic (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ extreme weather events (www.abc.net.au)
  7. ^ latest report (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ food will cost more (www.ipcc.ch)
  9. ^ rely on the food industry (www.awe.gov.au)
  10. ^ feed people (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ vegetable crops (www.northqueenslandregister.com.au)
  12. ^ Lockyer Valley (economy.id.com.au)
  13. ^ To protect fresh food supplies, here are the key steps to secure city foodbowls (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ damaged in warehouses (www.abc.net.au)
  15. ^ Brisbane Markets (www.northqueenslandregister.com.au)
  16. ^ supermarkets (www.theguardian.com)
  17. ^ emergency food supplies (www.foodbank.org.au)
  18. ^ crop losses (www.northqueenslandregister.com.au)
  19. ^ delays in food freight (www.theguardian.com)
  20. ^ the worst in memory (www.afr.com)
  21. ^ temporary food shortages (www.abc.net.au)
  22. ^ risk of food insecurity (www.mdpi.com)
  23. ^ food insecurity in Australia (www.racgp.org.au)
  24. ^ demand doubled (www.foodbank.org.au)
  25. ^ casual workers (www.theage.com.au)
  26. ^ temporary migrant workers (www.smh.com.au)
  27. ^ international students (www.theage.com.au)
  28. ^ were severely food insecure (reports.foodbank.org.au)
  29. ^ has risen rapidly (www.theguardian.com)
  30. ^ emergency food supplies (files.emv.vic.gov.au)
  31. ^ geopolitical shifts (www.abc.net.au)
  32. ^ new infographic (fvas.unimelb.edu.au)
  33. ^ research (fvas.unimelb.edu.au)
  34. ^ food processing (theconversation.com)
  35. ^ distribution (www.theguardian.com)
  36. ^ local and regional food supply chains (www.tandfonline.com)
  37. ^ increase the resilience of food systems (www.sciencedirect.com)
  38. ^ build local economies (www.mdpi.com)
  39. ^ food secure country (www.awe.gov.au)
  40. ^ food security (www.fao.org)
  41. ^ What is food insecurity? (theconversation.com)
  42. ^ fundamental human right (www.fao.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/we-cant-keep-relying-on-charities-and-the-food-industry-to-supply-food-after-disasters-the-government-must-lead-178215

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...