Gather + Grow
Affordable access to healthy food and drinks.
The Gather + Grow program is focused on improving remote food insecurity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Torres Strait, Cape York and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland.
In partnership, we are working to build the capacity and capability of remote food stores. We are also engaging with communities and community organisations to identify priorities and lead actions that will improve access to healthy food and drinks.
Category
First Nations ,
Rural and remote
Duration
N/A
Cost
N/A
Location
Torres Strait, Cape York and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland
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Target Audience
Olders Adults Adults Teens & Young AdultsProgram Benefits
Live and eat wellDelivery Method
Community engagement
Other Resources like this
Pick of the CropFood Security
Gather + Grow is focused on improving remote food insecurity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Torres Strait, Cape York and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland. In partnership with communities and community organisations, the Gather+ Grow program is working to build the capacity and capability of remote food stores, while identifying priorities and leading actions that will improve access to healthy food and drinks.
Remote Food Security Framework
Gather + Grow is working with communities and community organisations to influence systemic changes that will have positive impacts on individuals and families.
READ HOW: GATHER + GROW QUEENSLAND REMOTE FOOD SECURITY FRAMEWORK (PDF, 221KB)
Working in Partnership
Partnerships with Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Gidgee Healing and Mura Kosker Sorority will see each of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations supported to gather and grow locally-led strategies and actions to establish food security across the Torres Strait, Cape York and Lower Gulf regions of Queensland.
Healthy Remote Food Stores
In partnership with Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ), which manages remote food stores, the Healthy Remote Food Stores project will support managers and staff of local stores to boost customers’ healthy purchasing behaviours.
This project will be supported by a Remote Stores ECHO® learning series, while a health promotion professional will identify priorities, develop strategies, facilitate local engagement, and coordinate activities such as shopping tours and cooking demonstrations.
A partnership with remote stores researchers from Monash University, the University of Queensland, and Menzies School of Health Research will support the research element of this work to deliver evidence informed practices.
FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO FOOD PRICING AND FOOD SECURITY IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Food security leadership
We’re connecting with existing governance structures, stakeholders and forums to ensure a comprehensive strategy and action plan to guide a resilient and stable food supply.
In June 2020, we made a submission and a further Response to the Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs into the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities.
The Report and recommendations out of the Inquiry were published in December 2020 and despite known significant food security issues, the report also shone a light on collaborative practices to get food to where it needed to be, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. These learnings and practices is what Gather + Grow is working to harness and amplify.
FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO FOOD PRICING AND FOOD SECURITY IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
A local presence
We have established a Far North Queensland presence managed by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-identified professional. This person is based in Cairns and will work closely with our funded community-controlled and store-based position as well as other key stakeholders.
We also have a Community Nutritionist in the Torres area supporting the Torres Strait Island Regional Council’s Healthy Lifestyle Officers to deliver health and wellbeing initiatives on each of the outer islands.
Gather + Grow program outcomes
Success of the Gather + Grow program will see gaps addressed in healthy food availability, accessibility and utilisation, as well as a strong research and evaluation component embedded within the work.
FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO FOOD PRICING AND FOOD SECURITY IN REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Learn more about our work in the region
Program Partners
