‘More prioritisation on food security’ – exploring what initiative leaders envision for a food secure regional Australia

Food security is a particular challenge in rural, regional and remote locations due to complexities associated with food availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency and sustainability dimensions. Existing approaches, such as emergency food relief, have been found to inadequately address these challenges, suggesting that a comprehensive portfolio of solutions could be more effective. Understanding what food security initiative leaders operating in these areas consider important will help establish a shared goal to guide the development of a portfolio approach. This paper aimed to determine government and community-led food security initiative leaders' visions of a food secure regional Australia. This qualitative study was conducted across inner regional, outer regional, remote and very remote townships in Western Australia. Participants' perspectives of a food secure region were sought through semi-structured interviews. A total of 101 participants provided evidence for 148 food security initiatives. Many initiative leaders' visions focused on improved access to food and education programs such as food growing and food literacy programs. Less emphasis was placed on solutions such as community-led food security action and advocacy for increased government support and funding. Participants typically described existing and siloed solutions that, despite their widespread implementation, have been critiqued for their inability to adequately address the complexities of food security. This suggests a disconnect between participants' visions and a more effective portfolio approach. More time should be invested in enhancing community and interest holder' understanding of systems change and a portfolio approach to bridge this gap.