At a Glance:
- The Cardinia Food Circles Collective Impact Project aimed to establish a healthy, delicious, sustainable, and fair food system for all Cardinia Shire residents.
- The project began in November 2016 as a partnership between Cardinia Shire Council and backbone partners Sustain Australia to facilitate changes in the local food systems, which could support better health outcomes.
- The Cardinia Shire Community Food Strategy was created and guided by a steering committee, and key partners from local and regional health organisations, education and research institutions, the food industry, community members, not-for-profit organisations, and local government staff.
- Together, they advocated for and promoted the Strategy’s shared vision and common agenda, and led and supported key actions and activities across the wider project.
- Lessons Learnt: Empowering local communities and engaging diverse partners are essential for building resilient, equitable food systems. Multisectoral approaches, focused on food literacy and local innovation, amplify the reach and sustainability of food strategies.
In 2016, Cardinia Shire embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its food landscape for all residents. Through months of extensive community consultation, the Council listened to local voices, aspirations, and challenges around food access, affordability, and quality.
This collaboration shaped the development of the first-ever Community Food Strategy for Cardinia, outlining a shared commitment to nutritious, sustainable, and culturally meaningful food.
Guided by five strategic objectives, Cardinia pledged to protect fertile agricultural land and empower local growers. The strategy supports a vibrant food economy, ensuring that fresh, healthy produce is both accessible and affordable.
Schools, workplaces, and clubs throughout the region have become central settings for fostering food literacy, skills, and positive food culture. Efforts to reduce and divert food waste, alongside water reuse initiatives, are framed as environmental and social imperatives. Finally, building capacity—by encouraging leadership, participation, and partnership—underpins all strategy work.
Over time, this work has led to greater advocacy for the community food system. New policies and plans have emerged from grassroots initiatives. Partnerships between the council, community organisations, local businesses, and volunteers have flourished, creating stronger support and new public spaces for food-related activities. Workforce skill-building and targeted funding have ensured these actions remain both relevant and sustainable.
Cardinia’s story is one of innovation and collaboration, showing what happens when people unite around a common vision: food that’s good for people, good for the place, and good for the future.
The cornerstone lesson is that genuine community engagement and strong partnerships are key to meaningful food system change. By listening deeply and working together, Cardinia forged a foundation for lasting improvements—ensuring healthy, sustainable food is more than just an aspiration, but a lived reality for current and future generations.
Contact Information
- Cardinia Shire Council
- mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
- (+61) 1300 787 624
- www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/info/20031/liveability_health_and_wellbeing/645/cardinia_food_circles_project
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Created 2025 December