Cardinia Shire’s first Food Security Survey underway
Cardinia Shire Council and the Cardinia Food Movement in partnership with Monash University have this week issued over 2,000 Food Security Surveys to households across Cardinia Shire.
The study will measure the food literacy or knowledge of people living in Cardinia Shire and forms a part of the broader Cardinia Food Movement project aimed at improving access to locally grown produce and building better relationships between growers and community.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Collin Ross said the survey will provide valuable information about residents’ experiences of food access within the Cardinia Shire and will assist in the future planning, delivery and evaluation of projects and initiatives.
“The survey asks questions about individual and household food purchasing and cooking habits and provides participants with an opportunity to share their thoughts on how we can influence and improve healthy eating behaviours in our community.
“I would strongly encourage everyone who has received the survey to participate, as your responses will help guide the way for creating a healthier, sustainable, delicious and fair local food system for all Cardinia Shire residents,” Cr Ross said.
Households were randomly selected from a sample of residential addresses stored in Council’s rates database, which does not include names. Residents can choose to complete the hardcopy or online survey and responses are completely anonymous.
Monash University has received ethics approval for the survey process and will be undertaking the analysis of the data. Data collection will close Monday 28 May and Monash University will collate and analyse the data before reporting back to Council in June 2018.
Access to affordable, nutritious food is a priority in Cardinia Shire’s Liveability Plan 2017-29, which was launched in February after more than a year of collaborative development by Cardinia Shire Council, the local community, the Victorian Government, and over 20 partnership organisations including Sustain: The Australian Food Network.
For more information about Cardinia Shire’s Liveability Plan, visit Council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/liveabilityplan