Media Release

Friday, 3 July 2009

Having enough sustainable quality food for healthy eating will be some of the topics covered at VicHealth's annual Food for All Forum to be held in Swan Hill on Monday, 13 July.

The free forum, to be opened by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Mr Luke Donnellan MP, will bring together six municipalities across the state to discuss and share what has been learned from the Food for All initiative, which is now in the fourth year of its five-year program.

Council's Food for All Officer Sallie Amy said the forum was a great opportunity for people to learn about and discuss food supply and food security issues.

“Food security and food supply issues is a very real threat in our modern-day communities,” Ms Amy said.

“Most of us never really stop and think about the possibility of being unable to access nutritionally adequate and safe foods through our regular sources.

“This forum will really open the eyes as to what the current situation is and will also be of particular interest to people who are interested in the growing, processing, marketing, selling and of course, the ability to enjoy quality food at affordable costs.”

Ms Amy said that members of the public were welcome to attend the forum.

“We're encouraging our residents within the municipality to come along to this forum. There will be a lot of value in hearing what the guest speakers have to say and plenty to gain from attending the day.”

Ms Amy said the forum would bring together not just councils, but practitioners, researchers, planners, food growers, retailers and policy makers.

A number of guest speakers on the day will explore a range of topics to do with food security and supply, including keynote speaker Professor Alice Ammerman from the University of North Carolina who will discuss links between local sustainable farming and health.

The VicHealth Food for All Forum will be held at the Swan Hill Town Hall on Monday, 13 July from 9am until 4pm.

For more information regarding the forum, please contact Sallie Amy at Council on 5036 2333.