On Saturday 29 June 2024, around 45 people with lived experience of food insecurity participated in a deliberative forum on the topic. It was the last of a series of consultations that had been held with nearly 500 people across the state. The consultations are phase two of the Secure Food Systems Project to listen to the voices of people who have had challenges accessing food and to understand what they need to help them to access enough safe and healthy food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences.

Wide consultation and program partners

This Saturday’s forum was facilitated by SACOSS and Democracy Co on behalf of DHS and Preventive Health SA. Alongside these conversations, a YourSAy survey was also open to the public for six weeks (closed 16 June), to seek views of all South Aussies who are experiencing or have lived experience with not having enough healthy or appropriate food.

Phase one of the project was completed in 2023 with DHS and Preventive Health SA receiving an evidence review and summary of responses from key stakeholders and players within the food system from Flinders Centre for Social Impact.

Recommendations that make a real difference

According to Caroline Lock, Director of Community and Partnerships, hearing from people who have experienced what it’s like to be part of the food relief system, will help us to identify and prioritise recommended actions that could make a real difference in people’s lives.

“We won't be able to do everything that gets recommended, and we may need to break things down into "chunks" of what we can do now, what we can do later, and some actions may be the responsibility of others or outside our influence. I would like to thank all those who have offered their lived experience perspectives. Your input and insights will help us to make change.”

A summary and discussion paper will be presented to government on competition of this project to inform prioritisation of future action.

Read one of the participant's blog post on their involvement in the forum to get a glimpse of what it was like.