Fair Food: Building Resilient, Equitable Communities

Food is one of our most basic needs — yet for many in our community, access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food is out of reach. At Healthy Cities Australia, we believe that local coalitions are key to changing this reality.

In this blog, we share reflections from Grace Potter, Fair Food Coordinator at Healthy Cities Australia, following her presentation at the Public Health Conference 2025. Grace explored how coalitions like Food Fairness Illawarra (FFI) are working to strengthen communities by making our food systems more resilient and equitable.

Food Insecurity in the Illawarra

The findings of last year’s Let’s Talk About Food survey confirm what many already know: food insecurity is a lived reality in our region.

• 1 in 3 people in the Illawarra experience food insecurity.
• 61% of households report that the cost of food is the biggest barrier to eating a healthy diet.

This is not just about hunger, it’s about affordability and the lack of reliable, local, and sustainable food sources.

Why Coalitions Matter

Coalitions only work when the right voices are at the table. To best serve our community, we need:

• People most affected by the problem.
• Representatives from community services.
• Decision-makers and those with influence.

When lived experience, service expertise, and policy power come together, solutions are grounded in reality and meet community needs.

FFI in Action: Two Decades of Impact

For more than 20 years, Food Fairness Illawarra has brought people together to improve our local food system. By focusing on a few key areas, the coalition has driven real change:

• Advocacy — Supported the arrival of national food rescuer OzHarvest in the Illawarra, now diverting over 700,000kg of edible food from landfill each year to people in need.
• Research — Partnered with University of Wollongong to build a solid evidence base around food rescue and relief, helping the sector secure funding and push for systemic change.
• Collaboration — Established the Food Rescue & Relief Network, a connected group of more than 35 agencies sharing resources and solutions.
• Education & Empowerment — Built the Fair Food Directory and an online presence to make food relief options visible and accessible to all.

The Ripple Effect of Food System Change

When we improve the food system, the benefits reach every corner of community life:

• Better physical health — by making fresh, nutritious food more accessible.
• Improved mental health — by reducing stress around food insecurity and restoring dignity.
• Stronger social connection — through shared meals, crop swaps, and community hubs.
• Lower environmental impact — by reducing both food waste and food miles.

The Way Forward

Food is essential, but food system change takes collective effort. Local coalitions like Food Fairness Illawarra show what’s possible when we bring together diverse voices and work toward equity and resilience.

If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or learn more, visit www.foodfairnessillawarra.org.au

Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to fair food.

— Grace Potter, Fair Food Coordinator, Healthy Cities Australia