Golden Plains Shire Council partnered with Sustain: The Australian Food Network to establish a Golden Plains Local Food Network (the Network) in 2024.
The formation of the Network follows a Community Food Survey undertaken in January 2024 (which aimed to understand the community’s food system needs and priorities) and the Golden Plains Food Forum event, which was held in March 2024. An Expression of Interest process to join the Network was also open from March through to April 2024 for interested community members.
The Network is made up of producers, allied health partners, retailers, young people and community members from across the Shire.
Community members interested in becoming a member of the network, or interested in volunteering on one of our sub-working groups, please contact Council's Community Development team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.
Council will keep the community informed with updates about the Network on this page. Please see the latest updates below.
Community Choice Voucher Program
The Golden Plains Local Food Network have partnered with Give Where You Live Foundation to bring their Community Choice Voucher initiative to the Golden Plains Shire.
Supported by members of the Local Food Network including representatives form Give Where You Live Foundation, Hesse Rural Health, and Golden Plains Shire, this program provides essential assistance to individuals in the community who are facing hardships.
The program ensures access to fundamental needs such as food and medication, whilst also giving local businesses an opportunity to be part of the solution.
Two local businesses are now participating in the voucher program: Shazza’s Fruit and Veggies and Terry White Chemist Bannockburn.
Community members can now redeem their Community Choice food vouchers at these businesses, ensuring local access to food essentials and prescription medication.
The members of the Golden Plains Local Food Network commemorated a successful 2024 with a year-end networking excursion.
The group had the privilege of visiting regenerative farm Common Ground Project, as well as touring the Geelong Food Relief Centre.
The network was established in April 2024 and since then have developed an action plan that focuses on 5 key priority areas: Governance, Food Security, Access & Economy, Education & Connection.
The network has now divided into sub-working groups to begin addressing initiatives based on the five key priority areas identified in the Local Food Needs Assessment.
Network meetings will be held bimonthly commencing in February 2025.
The Local Food Network had their fourth and final meeting for 2024 and adopted their 1-year Action Plan. The Action Plan is based on 5 key priority areas, including Governance, Food Security, Access & Economy, Education and Connection, and works to support the local agriculture and food industries in Golden Plains Shire.
Working groups were also formed to ensure implementation of the Action Plan.
The Network is made up of producers, allied health partners, retailers, young people and community members from across the Shire.
The Network will continue to meet in 2025, and Council will provide updates on how the Network is progressing and keep our local community informed on the key actions of the Network and implementation of the Action Plan.