LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT IN TASMANIA

 
Tasmania grows some of the best produce in the world. But much of it is being exported. Currently 78% of our food is being sent to the mainland or overseas.

That is a huge missed opportunity.

  • For jobs
  • For our economy
  • For healthy eating
  • For tackling climate change

We need to make it easier for Tasmanian organisations, large and small, to source Tasmanian produce.

It’s called local food procurement.

 

The demand and the need

We know that the demand for local food procurement is there.

Over 90% of Tasmanians want to eat more Tasmanian fresh fruit and veg.

Tasmanian fruit and veg is fresher and heathier. And buying locally supports our farmers and jobs.

We know that the need for local food procurement is there.

Currently 95% of adults in Tasmania do not eat enough vegetables and 61% do not eat enough fruit.

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Opportunities

Evidence from overseas proves that local food procurement:

  • Actively stimulates regional and local economic growth.
  • Creates many jobs from growers to processors, pickers, retailers and in transport.
  • Greatly improves access to fresh seasonal food in local communities.
  • Helps to tackle climate change by reducing waste and transportation.

Our research shows that Tasmanian wholesalers want to source more produce locally because it is fresher, has a better shelf life and does not require chemical treatments. Tasmanian cooks in hospitality and institutions are also telling us that they want to showcase more local produce.

Studies also show that the so-called ‘multiplier effect’ means that every $1 million invested in buying Tasmanian produced food could create up to $4 million of economic activity in Tasmania. This ‘relocalisation’ could generate 1000s of jobs across our food industry.

Boosting local food procurement in Tasmania can work.

The demand and the need

We know that the demand for local food procurement is there.

Over 90% of Tasmanians want to eat more Tasmanian fresh fruit and veg.

Tasmanian fruit and veg is fresher and heathier. And buying locally supports our farmers and jobs.

We know that the need for local food procurement is there.

Currently 95% of adults in Tasmania do not eat enough vegetables and 61% do not eat enough fruit.

Opportunities

Evidence from overseas proves that local food procurement:

  • Actively stimulates regional and local economic growth.
  • Creates many jobs from growers to processors, pickers, retailers and in transport.
  • Greatly improves access to fresh seasonal food in local communities.
  • Helps to tackle climate change by reducing waste and transportation.

Our research shows that Tasmanian wholesalers want to source more produce locally because it is fresher, has a better shelf life and does not require chemical treatments. Tasmanian cooks in hospitality and institutions are also telling us that they want to showcase more local produce.

Studies also show that the so-called ‘multiplier effect’ means that every $1 million invested in buying Tasmanian produced food could create up to $4 million of economic activity in Tasmania. This ‘relocalisation’ could generate 1000s of jobs across our food industry.

Boosting local food procurement in Tasmania can work.

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Action

Eat Well Tasmania is calling on the Tasmanian Government to support local food procurement in Tasmania through

  • Leadership.
  • Stronger rules in the Buy Local Strategy.
  • Additional resourcing for organisations collaborating to make it happen.
Fact Sheet - Local Food Procurement in Tasmania
Report - A Rapid Review of Approaches and Case Studies
Report - What are the Co-Benefits for Local and Regional Economies?

Get involved

We would love you to be part of our campaign for increasing local food procurement in Tasmania.

FACT SHEET – Local Food Procurement in Tasmania
REPORT – A Rapid Review of Approaches and Case Studies
REPORT – What are the Co-Benefits for Local and Regional Economies?

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