Coffs Coast Local Food Futures Part A_Final Report - Coffs Harbour ...

Local Food Futures Project
Part A: Final Report
Key Focus Areas
An initial needs assessment undertaken as part of
the development of the Local Food Framework
identified a number of key areas that stakeholders
felt were important areas to be working in. These
included production, distribution and consumption
themes and are outlined in the Coffs Coast Local
Food Framework document (Available for download
at www.coffscoastlocalfood.com.au). The number
one priority was seen as being consumer education.
Therefore the Local Food Futures Project focussed
mainly in this area. Some of the areas relating to
production and distribution were seen as being
beyond the capacity of this project, with a total
budget of just over $250,000 over three years. The
project was therefore designed around three key
focus areas.
Key Focus Areas
Strategic response - Developing a strategic
response to the challenges outlined above and the
development of a local food system for the region.
This project developed the Coffs Coast Local Food
Framework 2010 - 2020
Consumer awareness - Increasing community
knowledge, awareness and skills in sustainable
consumption and healthy lifestyles around the theme
of local food. This focus area included a range of
community awareness raising activities, events and
workshops
Showcasing - Supporting community groups in
showcasing sustainable living activities for the
wider community around the production of local
food through the development of two showcase
educational community gardens and the running of
associated hands on workshops
Location
The project location identified in the Business Plan
was the local Government areas of Coffs Harbour and
Bellingen. During the project the Nambucca Local
Food Network also became involved and therefore
the project was also able to deliver a number of
outcomes within the Nambucca local government
area.
Governance
The project was over seen by the Coffs Coast Local
Food Alliance (LFA) Steering group which consisted
of representation from local government, health and
education providers and local community groups.
The project was managed by Coffs Harbour City
Council (CHCC) and the secretariat of the Local Food
Alliance was also housed at the Council.
The Steering Group consisted of the following initial
membership:
––
Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC)
––
Bellingen Shire Council (BSC)
–
–
–
––
TAFE NSW (TAFE)
–
–
– Bellingen Local Food Network (BLFN)
– Coffs Regional Organic Producers Association (CROPO)
– North Coast Local Health District (NCLHD)
– Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare (CHRL)
– Bellingen Landcare (BL)
The membership changed over the duration of the
project with the Bellingen Local Food Network
changing to become the Bellingen Community
Gardens Association (BCGA). Once the Coffs Regional
Community Gardens Association (CRCGA) was formed
they replaced CROPO on the Steering Group. Neither
of the local Landcare groups were actively involved
throughout the project although they were active in
the promotion of sustainable agriculture through a
small farms network and the running of a number of
workshops.
The governance structure for the project is shown
below:
NSW Environmental Trust
Coffs Coast Local Food Alliance
Steering Group (LFA)
CHCC Project Management
and Secretariat
Local Food
Framework
Working
Group
Community
Gardens
Working
Groups
Community
Awareness
and
Education
Working
Group
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