The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) in partnership with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation has launched the Food Policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (FoodPATH) Community Report.
The FoodPATH Community Report outlines 10 policy recommendations that provide a pathway for a systems approach to food and nutrition policy action, to prevent increasing rates of diet-related chronic disease and support vibrant, healthy, self-determining Aboriginal Communities in Victoria.
This landmark report is the culmination of Community workshops in 2022 with VACCHO and five of its member Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) – Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Njernda Aboriginal Co-operative, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative, Moogji Aboriginal Council, and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
These workshops aimed to empower Aboriginal communities in Victoria to determine the actions needed to promote healthier food environments.
Each workshop saw participants develop a clear set of policy actions that enhance food environments and nutrition in their Communities.
Improving nutrition outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria requires urgent action at both Community and Governments levels. The FoodPATH policy recommendations are divided into five Community actions and five Government actions to reflect this.
Community Recommendations | These should be Community-led, but need sustainable funding:
- ACCO-led self-determined Community nutrition programs (these could include anything from nutrition education, meal preparation, cooking, youth programs- whatever the ACCO identifies is needed).
- Community gardens to grow and share food among Community members; these could be linked to food packages or cooking programs.
- Workshops/Yarning circles with Elders to educate Community about traditional foods.
- Community based parenting programs, incorporating nutrition and cooking healthy meals.
- ACCO early years programs around healthy eating in pregnancy and early childhood nutrition.
Government Recommendations | These should be implemented by Governments, in consultation with the Community:
- Ban junk food marketing (in all its forms), including unhealthy sport sponsorship.
- Mandate nutrition & cooking education in schools.
- Make the health star food labelling system mandatory across all packaged food.
- Set limits on the amount of sugar/salt/saturated fat allowed in packaged food.
- Keep the GST off fresh food.
VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher says the FoodPATH Community Report provides a strong Aboriginal voice on the action needed to transform the nutrition space in Victoria.
“Before colonisation, traditional food systems supported physical, social and cultural wellbeing and prevented diet-related chronic disease. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience unacceptable health inequities.”
“Unhealthy diets are a leading contributor of the burden of disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
“Almost 15 years ago, VACCHO launched the Victorian Aboriginal Nutrition and Physical Activity Strategy. Unfortunately, we did not receive the support needed and therefore have not yet seen the results we were hoping for – food insecurity, diet-related chronic disease and the nutrition gap have continued to grow at alarming rates.“
“In order to truly close the nutrition gap and prevent chronic disease, we need governments to take Aboriginal nutrition seriously. We need investment into Aboriginal organisations – we need Aboriginal nutrition in Aboriginal hands.”
“This report outlines the bold action required to prevent increasing rates of chronic disease and support vibrant, healthy, self-determining Aboriginal communities in Victoria.”
“I’d like to personally thank the five ACCOs, their staff and Community members, that took part in the FoodPATH Project. Without their generosity and kindness in sharing their knowledge, insights and experiences, this project wouldn’t have been possible.”
VACCHO, along with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation, thank VicHealth for their partnership and support in implementing the FoodPATH project.
Download: FoodPATH Community Report
Download: FoodPATH Policy Statement
More information about the FoodPATH Project can be found here or by contacting nutrition@vaccho.org.au
