Australia is still facing a big test. Now as the cost of living continues to rise, it is affecting what its citizens are able to eat. According to food relief charities, people cite a lack of money as one of the main reasons they can’t eat healthy. In response, many are being forced into eating less nutritious foods. According to recent figures, fewer than 5 percent of Australians meet the federal government’s dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake. This worrisome trend is more than just an alarming statistic — it’s a critical public health issue.
The issue is only complicated by the $36.6 billion dollars worth of food sent to landfill each year in Australia. According to Foodbank Australia, edible food worth billions of dollars goes to waste and is sent to landfill every year. This colossal waste is obviously a massive environmental and economic disaster. Larelle McMillan, research director of CSIRO’s agriculture and food sustainability program, stated that “health-related epidemics and issues are often interpreted as an acceptable consequence of personal choice.” She was quick to add that these kind of contextual factors regularly play a large role in these decisions.
The new research highlights the link between the cost of living and a nutrition crisis in Australia. The rising price of fresh produce compared to processed foods makes healthy eating increasingly difficult for those on limited budgets. This problem is especially acute in regional and remote communities where access to a range of food retailers is both limited and inequitable. In these grocery deserts, 6 percent of residents depend on only one food store. For people living in remote communities, that number skyrockets to 34 percent.
The local value of vegetable production in Australia is $5.8 billion with 3.6 million tonnes sold. We now throw out more than 7.6 million tonnes of good food that is still perfectly edible every year. Sarah Pennell has been covering this shocking story. She pointed out how crucial it is to route excess food to food banks instead of letting it rot in a landfill.
“We want to see more of that good surplus food diverted to charities like Foodbank rather than landfill. With the right incentives and infrastructure, we can dramatically reduce waste and boost food relief efforts.” – Sarah Pennell
For perspective, Second Bite rescues about 25 million kilograms of food annually. This partnership effort produces the equivalent of nearly 50 million meals to feed people in need. Every year, we produce a whopping 33 million tonnes of organic waste. That’s a staggering amount and signals a systemic issue that needs immediate attention.
Convenience is a major driver of food purchases for Australians. Lilly Lim-Camacho, a principal research scientist at CSIRO, noted that “when it comes to purchasing food, buying fresh food to prepare yourself isn’t as convenient when compared to other things.” She noted that healthy food often feels out of reach price-wise. This perception is based on both the larger price tags as well as the increased time required for preparation.
“In addition, it can be seen as expensive, not only because of the increased cost but the increased time that goes into preparing food.” – Lilly Lim-Camacho
The effect of fast food ads on food purchasing decisions is exacerbated by the overwhelming presence of fast food ads. Lim-Camacho remarked, “for example, children’s exposure to fast food advertisements can affect what they want to eat afterward.” This astounding phenomenon is a deeper glimpse into how corporate marketing tactics shifts perceptions around food and plays a critical role in perpetuating unhealthy eating patterns.
Sarah Pennell expressed support for policies that enhance food security while promoting nutritional health:
“We would support well-thought-out policies that improve dietary health and fund food relief efforts – but only if they don’t make life harder for those already struggling to afford the basics.” – Sarah Pennell
Furthermore, the implementation of a National Food Donation Tax Incentive could encourage businesses to donate surplus food rather than discarding it. This principle would go a long way towards addressing both hunger and food waste in Australia.
“This straightforward policy can help deliver millions of healthy meals to Australians in need, improving food security and nutrition while advancing our national food waste reduction goals.” – Expert Source
