What’s on Your Plate? New Research Reveals Illawarra’s Food Habits & Challenges

We asked, you spoke. Last year, we teamed up with incredible researchers at the University of Wollongong for the ‘Let’s Talk About Food’ survey,  conducted with more than 700 households in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions to explore your thoughts on locally produced food, your shopping habits, as well as assess the prevalence of food insecurity and access of food relief.

The results have just been released, and are broken down into five reports exploring different aspects of food in the Illawarra. Here’s everything you need to know.

Food Insecurity in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven

We know food insecurity is on the rise, but what’s actually happening in our region? Our findings highlight the urgency for local policy and community action to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious, affordable food for vulnerable groups. The survey found that:

• Over a third (38%) of Illawarra and Shoalhaven households experience food insecurity, with 19% moderately and 12% severely affected, including 30% of households with children.
• Only 23% of severely food-insecure households and 10% of moderately food-insecure households accessed emergency food relief.

Food insecurity is a powerful determinant of health. It affects the health, wellbeing, and the ability of families to function day-to-day, and doesn’t impact all family members equally – parents often shield their children from the worst impacts by skipping meals, eating less, or making other sacrifices.

“When bills come in, as a parent, I will starve rather than see my children go hungry… I do without, so the rest of the family can eat.” – Father, Shoalhaven Heads

Read the full report. If you or someone you know is in need of food relief, you can find your nearest food relief agencies on the Low Cost & Free Meals directory.

Community Perspectives on Local Food in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven

We discovered that the local community highly values the freshness, quality, and community benefits of local food, however faces barriers such as cost, limited availability, and lack of accessibility. In summary, there is currently substantial dissatisfaction with the availability of farmers markets and community gardening spaces in the region.

• Nearly a third (31%) of households said they grow their own food, 5% forage or hunt for food, and 4% participate in crop swaps.
• Only 10% of households get food from community gardens or other people’s gardens. Most respondents (63%) said didn’t think there were enough community gardening spaces.

“Supporting local food producers in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions is quite important to me … it helps to sustain the local economy by ensuring that money spent on food stays within the community, supporting local farmers and their families.”

Read the full report. Interested in learning how to garden and share the load as part of a community? Discover your nearest community garden or get involved in a crop swap.

The Impact of Rising Cost of Food on Shopping and Eating in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Unsurprisingly in the cost-of-living crisis, the survey found residents hold significant concerns over the increasing prices of essential food items, leading to notable changes in food purchasing behaviours, dietary adjustments, and emotional stress. Not only that, only a fraction of respondents eat enough fruits and vegetables.

• 77% of residents shop at major supermarkets (Woolworths or Coles), 35% of residents source food at independent grocers, and just 14% shop at farmers markets
• The cost of food was the most significant barrier to eating a healthy diet (61%), with a lack of time to prepare meals following (40%).

“We now choose from cheaper food. We used to buy more organic products and have more diversity in choices, but the cost is way too high for that now.” – 35-44 year-old, Wollongong.

Read the full report and search the Fair Food Directory to discover fruit and veggie boxes, independent grocers, fruit and vegetable producers, and more.

Which Suburbs Have the Best Access to Affordable, Healthy Food in Illawarra and Shoalhaven?

Do you feel like there are enough healthy food outlets near you? The survey revealed while most residents feel they can access healthy food shops, affordability remains a major concern. There is also strong dissatisfaction with the low availability of farmers markets, locally grown food and community food initiatives such as community gardens, as well as a perceived overabundance of fast food and unhealthy food advertising. Here’s what each LGA thought:

• Wollongong: High accessibility to healthy food and culturally diverse options, but food costs remain a concern, with low satisfaction in access to local produce.
• Shellharbour: Good access to healthy food but concerns about limited local produce and high fast-food presence.
• Shoalhaven: Easy access to healthy food from home and workplaces, yet concerns exist around food affordability and cultural diversity.
• Kiama: Strong satisfaction with local produce and minimal fast-food concerns, but concerns around food affordability and limited cultural food variety exist.

Read the full report, and search the Fair Food Directory to discover farmers markets and get involved in community gardens or crop swaps.

“Food is the Glue”: Community Centres in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Use Food as a Gateway to Supporting Wellbeing & Connection

“Food is the glue that brings us together” – pertinent words known by anyone who works in community services. Community centres act as key referral hubs, linking individuals with a wide network of support that extends beyond immediate food relief. The importance of this? Despite being under-resourced in their efforts to provide food relief, community centres find that food paves the way for connecting people to other critical support services, including healthcare, employment resources, education, and mental health care, ultimately decreasing the burden on the local economy and services.

• People attending community centres experience a higher severity of food insecurity (73% of adults and 73% of children), poorer diets and deal with more serious health issues than the wider community. Despite this, they report a higher level of community support as a result of engagement with these centres.
• 43% of people visiting community centres reported a health condition or disability that affects daily activity, and half also reported being diagnosed with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

• “I once met a young man who avoided mental health services for years due to childhood trauma. Over shared meals, conversations when providing a bag or groceries, and laughter about odd-looking fruits, he built the trust and capacity to seek help. He has now engaged in eight solid months of mental health support, improving his health, housing stability, and overall wellbeing.” – Community Centre Manager

Read the full report and support your local community centre or food relief organisation by searching for food volunteer opportunities.