What is Food Fairness Illawarra?
Read more about Food Fairness Illawarra here
Food Fairness Illawarra is a community coalition working towards a shared vision – to make healthy and sustainable food affordable and accessible to all.
Formed in 2005 during Anti-Poverty Week after a food security forum, the coalition includes representatives from Healthy Cities Illawarra, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, University of Wollongong and Wollongong, Kiama and Shoalhaven councils.
Food Fairness Illawarra is guided by the four dimensions of food security – availability, access, use and utilisation, and security, as identified by the United Nations. It connects and collaborates, advocates, empowers, educates, researches and governs to achieve its vision.
What is fair food?
Good food is the basis of health and wellness. Fair food is best described as food that is local, fresh, affordable, accessible. It is good for people, the environment and the community. Everybody has the right of access to good food.
Fair Food Illawarra initiatives
The following major initiatives give a good snapshot:
- the fair food directory, a gateway to fair food in the Illawarra
- a practical fair food field guide, ways of participating in a fair food system
- interactive fair food events calendar
A major event in the local calendar is Connecting Over Fair Food. This forum is held annually, coinciding with Fair Food Week, and alternates between Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour. Due to Covid, the event has not been held in person for three years.
This year’s event – subtitled “Together Building Community Food Resilience” – will be held at the Innovation Campus of the University of Wollongong on Tuesday, 18 October. It will bring together speakers, including Gardening Australia's Clarence Slockee, fair food stalls and a crop swap.
The event is open to those interested in fair food. Tickets are limited.
Read more about Food Fairness Illawarra here
