Inquiry into Food Security in Victoria
In July of 2024, The Salvation Army provided a submission to the Victorian Legislative Council Standing Committee on Legal and Social Issues inquiry into Food Security.
Our Submission drew from our experience as a major provider of food relief throughout the state. We focused on the impacts of food insecurity on the mental, physical and long-term social well-being of people experiencing insecure access to food.
The Submission also follows through the impacts of food accessibility, food access, including cost, food use, such as the ability to cook and store nutritious food, and food stability. These make up the critical pillars to food security.
The Salvation Army services, including community gardens, community meals, food relief hampers, and emergency relief, contribute to each of these pillars. The Submission provides tangible examples of how the Victorian government can act to maximise food security throughout the state, as well as partnering with other organisations to better deliver food relief and wraparound support to those experiencing food insecurity.
The Salvation Army was invited to appear before the Committee on 20 August where staff from our 614 Magpie Café were able to discuss food security with the Committee.