The National Food Council has released the key feedback gathered from stakeholders regarding the proposed scope of Australia’s National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia, announced in March 2025 and expected to be released in mid-2027.
The Council met on 28 July 2026, receiving a briefing on over 400 stakeholder responses from across the food system on the National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, which was released last August. This was followed by a public consultation process, closed in November, and a co-design phase from February to June 2026.
The inaugural National Food Council was also announced in November, and has since met five times to work on the Strategy, as well as pressing issues facing the global supply chain. The federal government commissioned a food supply chain assessment in March on the Council’s recommendation, following the severe impact on Australia’s food system from conflict in the Middle East.
The Council has received over 400 responses from industry associations, farmers, retailers, manufacturers, nonprofits, researchers, government officials, and the public. From February to June, an extensive consultation and co-design process also involved over 450 stakeholders from across the food supply chain.
Support was provided for the principles outlined in the discussion paper. Additionally, there was a call for governance, transparency and accountability and equity and inclusion. Many submissions also indicated a preference for the strategy to work towards a long-term horizon, with short- to medium-term actions.
The Council worked through the key themes that emerged from the consultation process, considered the work undertaken by the department on its analysis of the food system, and discussed how the themes might be refined as the Strategy is developed – aiming to build it on a strong foundation of evidence, analysis and stakeholder input. These themes included:
Farmers and fishers are at the heart of food production, but ongoing pressures are risking their long-term viability
- Submissions highlighted that farmers and fishers are central to food production. However, they noted that ongoing pressures that affect long-term viability are also faced. Respondents pointed to workforce shortages and skills gaps. Key issues mentioned included the need for better pathways into farming and fishing, wellbeing support, migration options, and access to training.
Producers were described as facing overlapping pressures beyond their control, including rising costs, land and resource constraints, trade volatility, regulation, and climate impacts.
Respondents also noted two timeframes for food security: Australia is food secure now but exposed to future risks, while localised food insecurity is already being felt. Topics outlined as important included more consistent and efficient regulation, investment in local and regional food systems to support producers, regional economies, and supply chain resilience.
Australia has a story of abundance, but food security remains inequitable
- Submissions said Australia’s food abundance masks uneven access. They argued equity should be central to food security. Respondents highlighted the need for fair access to nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food. This was particularly important for remote and low-income communities. Links were noted between this and broader issues such as income, housing and transport. Some called for recognition of food as a human right to strengthen accountability.
Support was expressed for First Nations food sovereignty. There is a desired focus on community-led approaches that return benefits locally.
Respondents also highlighted dignity in food access. It was argued that food relief should not replace long-term system change. Geography was also seen as a key barrier, as distance and higher costs affect price and choice. Some respondents noted that strong international rankings can hide gaps in national coordination.
Market concentration is raised as a resilience and fairness risk
- Submissions noted that market concentration can affect how fairly the food system works. Respondents described pressure on producers through factors such as uneven terms of trade, limited transparency, and less bargaining power.
Some also pointed to fewer processing options. This included regional abattoir closures, which can reduce opportunities for smaller producers.
Fair and competitive markets were seen as important for keeping food affordable and accessible. This was especially notable in rural and remote areas, with affordability often described as the ‘front door’ of food security. Ongoing pressure on margins was also seen as limiting reinvestment and the system’s ability to adapt.
Climate risk and environmental sustainability are foundational to future food security
- Submissions reflected that climate risk and environmental sustainability should be central to future food security. Long-term food production and the need to protect natural capital were linked to climate change, biodiversity, soil health, water security, pollution, and land-use change.
Responses included calls to better connect water management to ecosystems, food production, and regional livelihoods. Support was expressed for climate-resilient and regenerative farming that improves soil and biodiversity. However, it was noted that one-size-fits-all approaches were not suitable.
Respondents also outlined pressure from competing land uses. They described the need for stronger planning. It was emphasised that reducing food waste and improving circularity requires system-level change rather than ongoing reliance on food relief.
Health and nutrition are central to food security, ensuring our food promotes good health and well-being
- Submissions reflected that health and nutrition should sit at the centre of food security. Respondents linked poor diets to rising non-communicable disease. This included concerns about ultra-processed foods. Improving food literacy and education was viewed as important for building skills and confidence in making informed choices. Food environments were seen as shaping everyday choices. Retail settings and marketing were discussed as influencing what people eat. Respondents noted that food security should include nutrition security, not just access to calories. They supported strong food safety, labelling and science-based regulation.
Food insecurity was also described as a health issue. Responses from public health organisations highlighted its links to poverty, insecure housing, disability, unemployment, and social isolation.
Maintaining food security for ourselves and others can be viewed as a priority for national security
- Submissions said food security can be seen as part of national security and regional stability. They outlined this is true both domestically and for trading partners.
Respondents noted that digitisation and AI bring benefits but also raise risks of disruption to food production and distribution. Reliance on imported inputs and packaging was seen as a vulnerability during global shocks.
Strengthening sovereign capability was viewed as important. This includes more reliable logistics, cold chains, and back-up systems.
This is in addition to greater local processing to reduce import dependence. More diverse supply chains and trading relationships were also seen as ways to reduce risks linked to highly consolidated and just-in-time systems.
There is a significant opportunity space to engage with disruptive technologies and business models
- Respondents said technology and new business models offer clear opportunities for the food system. Submissions noted that data and AI could change how food is produced, distributed and who captures value. However, innovation was more often framed as improving the current system rather than transforming it. Some respondents pointed to a gap between pilots and commercial scale. Additionally, views on regulation were mixed, balancing enablement with risk and trust.
Place-based and community-led models were also seen as innovative. In these models, local supply chains and regional manufacturing support resilience and complement large-scale production.
The Council will meet again in October. Head to agriculture.gov.au for updates and further information on Feeding Australia.
