Food Security Commons^™

Facilitating Food Security Systems Change In Regional Australia Through A Strengths-Based, Co-Design Process, Isabelle Chiera, Doe, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine, Stephanie L. Godrich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Food security is a multifaceted, ‘wicked’ issue that refers to the sufficient physical, social, and economic access to food at all times. Given its complexity, food security action requires a systems-based, collaborative, and adaptive approach. This paper outlines the application of a strengths-based, co-design process to support food security systems change among government and community-led initiatives operating in rural, regional, and remote areas of Western Australia. Baseline, semistructured interviews were conducted with leaders of food initiatives to understand whether and how the initiatives were contributing to food security systems change and identify the ‘windows of opportunity’ where initiatives could be …

Food Security Systems Change: A Case Study From Rural, Regional, And Remote Australia, Stephanie L. Godrich, Isabelle Chiera, Jess Doe, Saranne Herrington, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine, Emily Humphreys

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Food security(FS) refers to having sufficient physical, social, and economic food access at all times. People living in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) locations often face distinctive challenges to FS. Existing solutions, that aim to enhance FS, themselves face challenges when addressing these issues. This paper outlines the application of an adapted Systemic Innovation Lab (SIL) approach to enhance the function of existing community and government-led, -run or -operated initiatives (programs, interventions) in RRR Western Australia. It examines which systems change characteristics participating initiatives possess, to identify opportunities to support their transition to newer and more effective ways of addressing …

More Prioritisation On Food Security – Exploring What Initiative Leaders Envision For A Food Secure Regional Australia, Isabelle Chiera, Jess Doe, Melissa Stoneham, Saranne Herrington, Amanda Devine, Emily Humphreys, Stephanie L. Godrich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Food security is a particular challenge in rural, regional and remote locations due to complexities associated with food availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency and sustainability dimensions. Existing approaches, such as emergency food relief, have been found to inadequately address these challenges, suggesting that a comprehensive portfolio of solutions could be more effective. Understanding what food security initiative leaders operating in these areas consider important will help establish a shared goal to guide the development of a portfolio approach. This paper aimed to determine government and community-led food security initiative leaders' visions of a food secure regional Australia. This qualitative study …

Increasing The Effectiveness Of Rural, Regional And Remote Food Security Initiatives Through Place-Based Partnerships—A Qualitative Study, Stephanie L. Godrich, Melissa Stoneham, Isabelle Chiera, Jess Doe, Amanda Devine, Emily Humphreys

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue Addressed: This work aimed to understand the ways in which local organisations were working in partnership to support food security action in rural, regional, and remote areas. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 101 food security initiative leaders, representing 148 food initiatives within Australia's largest state, Western Australia (WA). A thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo that indicated a total of 378 partnering organisations worked on the food security initiatives. Results: Organisations partnered to address food security in their regions through coordinated action; community consultation; food/financial donations; funding and grants; on-ground programme and service delivery and physical and human …

Shaping Effective Food Action Groups: Participant Perspectives On Structure And Stakeholder Involvement In Regional And Remote Western Australia, Stephanie L. Godrich, Sarah Goodwin, Jess Doe, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue Addressed: Food systems strongly influence food security outcomes. Food Action Groups (often termed Food Policy Councils/Coalitions/Networks internationally) offer a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to local food system issues. Their organisational structure and stakeholder membership significantly impact their focus and impact. Therefore, it is imperative to understanding community member and food system stakeholders' perspectives on how regional and remote Australian Food Action Groups should be structured to maximise their impact on local food systems, and identify the most appropriate stakeholders to facilitate and drive their action. Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups, was conducted in regional and remote townships …

An Efficient Yield Prediction Model Using Synthetic Inference From L-Systems, Chris C. Napier, David M. Cook, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The ability to predict and estimate the harvest production is of vital significance to the food security and financial value of global agriculture. The use of synthetic inference in determining crop yield estimations cannot be underestimated. L-systems uses high-level estimation dependent upon inference techniques through sources ranging from real to synthetic data. This paper combines intelligent and highly visual features to infer crop characteristics. It provides a method of assembling superior synthetic datasets that reduce the reliance upon time-consuming fully trained neural networks. It demonstrates a mature approach to using synthetic inference that provides cost-effective reliable crop yield estimations. This …

Comprehensive Assessment Instruments For Place-Based Sustainable Agriculture: A Scoping Review, Rebecca Voisin, Stephanie Godrich, David Blake, Ros Sambell, Saranne Herrington, Janine Joyce, Pierre Horwitz, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A rapid transformation to sustainable agricultural production systems is necessary, requiring on-farm monitoring and measurements of key agricultural sustainability indicators. While many assessment methods for agricultural sustainability incorporate a three-pillar model of sustainability: environment, economic, and social, a step beyond this is required to support both human and planetary health. This review takes the position that a more nuanced, yet broader framing of agricultural sustainability is warranted, and identifies the measurement of additional pillars including health and nutrition, production, and responsible governance, plus overlooked aspects including Indigenous cultures. A peer-reviewed and grey literature search was conducted identifying articles (n = …

Willingness To Pay For Blue-Green Space And Koala Habitat Protection Following A Covid-19 Versus Bushfire Experimental Prime, Zoe Leviston, Rubijayne Cohen, Stephanie Gorman, Zoe Becvarik, Aparna Lal

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Community-supported investment in blue-green space and fauna habitat protection is important, yet the drivers of willingness to pay (WTP) are poorly understood. Moreover, research on WTP for environmental services rarely considers the role of context in determining which services donors prefer. We address these gaps with a novel experimental approach (N = 360), randomly assigning participants to a condition priming either Covid19, the Australian 2019-2020 bushfires, or to one of two control conditions. We measured subsequent WTP for blue-green space and koala habitat, finding mostly non-significant effects for experimental condition on WTP, preparedness to donate, or the importance placed on …

Revising A Right To Food Road Map—Perspectives Of Australian Key Informants, Rebecca Lindberg, Vivien Yii, Elizabeth Millen, Stephanie Godrich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: In Australia, an estimated 1 in 10 households experiences food insecurity. The objective of this study was to devise a visual synthesis to summarise the activities, processes and principles that support the right to food for everyone in Australia. Methods: Semi-structured key informant interviews (n=30) were conducted during 2019–20. Content analysis synthesised perspectives and assisted co-authors in revising an initial draft (shared during the interview) to finalise the road map through semantic realist data analysis and re-design. Results: The six components of the right to food road map summarise the actions, processes, and principles to address the human right …

Views On Biosecurity And Food Security As We Work Toward Reconciling An Approach That Addresses Two Global Problems For A Sustainable Outcome, Marnie L. Campbell, Chad L. Hewitt, Chi T.U. Le

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The interrelationships between food security and biosecurity are crucial but often overlooked. Biosecurity acts as a safeguard for food security, yet efforts to achieve food security can increase pressures on biosecurity. Decisions prioritizing one over the other involve both short- and long-term trade-offs. Recognizing the connections between global issues is essential for a balanced approach to ensure sustainable outcomes. Considering that, we aimed to identify knowledge gaps, key considerations, and demographic patterns in experts’ views on food security and biosecurity using an online survey with 162 international experts, including researchers, decision-makers, and journal editors from 23 countries. Our results reveal …

Editorial: Halal Production, Services, Consumption, And Consumer Behavior, Abdul Hafaz Ngah, T. Ramayah, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Suhaiza Zailani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Muslim population is projected to reach 2.2 billion by the year 2030. The rapid growth of the Muslim population will positively impact the demand for halal products and services, as Muslims should only consume halal products. However, due to high quality and purity, Halal products and services were only limited to Muslims, but more recently the non-Muslims have also started to enjoy its benefits. As a result, a growing number of producers and manufacturers, including non-Muslim ones, have begun to produce Halal products and deliver Halal services. Previously, Halal was only related to food and beverages. Nowadays, the Halal …

Food Supply Impacts And Solutions Associated With The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Regional Australian Case Study, Stephanie Louise Godrich, Flavio Macau, Katherine Kent, Johnny Lo, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to explore how food supply chains were impacted by COVID-19 and identify how the region could be better prepared for future crises. An online survey was completed by 107 consumers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 food supply stakeholders working in food production, distribution, retail, hospitality, institutions (i.e., childcare), logistics/freight and local government. Pre-COVID-19, farmer-direct distribution options and hospitality businesses comprised a substantial proportion of local food producer businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers favoured local food supply options, farmers collaborated, and produce usually destined for export was redirected into local markets. Critical food supply actions included …

A Mixed-Methods Study To Determine The Impact Of Covid-19 On Food Security, Food Access And Supply In Regional Australia For Consumers And Food Supply Stakeholders, Stephanie Louise Godrich, Johnny Lo, Katherine Kent, Flavio Macau, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer purchasing patterns, and potentially, household food security. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of food insecurity and food supply issues, and perspectives of food supply stakeholders in regional Australia. Methods: A mixed-methods consumer survey and in-depth interviews with food supply stakeholders were conducted in regional Australia, more specifically South West Western Australia between May and July 2020, immediately after the 1st wave of the pandemic. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was 21% among consumers, and significantly more …

Assessing The Benefit Of Adopting Erp Technology And Practicing Green Supply Chain Management Toward Operational Performance: An Evidence From Indonesia, Ruben Wahyu Santoso, Hotlan Siagian, Zeplin Jiwa Husada Tarigan, Ferry Jie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The recent concern on the environmental protection and COVID-19 issue is increasingly affecting the manufacturing industry. This research assessing the benefit of adopting ERP technology and practicing green supply chain management toward operational performance in manufacturing industry. The study is essential to provide insight for the manufacturing industry regarding the consequences and benefits of practicing the green supply chain and adopting ERP technology amid the current constraints of the environmental protection issue and the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has surveyed 122 companies domiciled in Indonesia. Data collection used a questionnaire designed with a seven-point Likert scale. Questionnaire created in Google …

Applications Of Environmental Dna (Edna) In Agricultural Systems: Current Uses, Limitations And Future Prospects, Joshua H. Kestel, David L. Field, Philip W. Bateman, Nicole E. White, Morten E. Allentoft, Anna J. M. Hopkins, Mark Gibberd, Paul Nevill

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Global food production, food supply chains and food security are increasingly stressed by human population growth and loss of arable land, becoming more vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental perturbations. Numerous mutualistic and antagonistic species are interconnected with the cultivation of crops and livestock and these can be challenging to identify on the large scales of food production systems. Accurate identifications to capture this diversity and rapid scalable monitoring are necessary to identify emerging threats (i.e. pests and pathogens), inform on ecosystem health (i.e. soil and pollinator diversity), and provide evidence for new management practices (i.e. fertiliser and pesticide applications). Increasingly, …

Problems, Policy And Politics – Perspectives Of Public Health Leaders On Food Insecurity And Human Rights In Australia, Stephanie L. Godrich, Liza Barbour, Rebecca Lindberg

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

To achieve zero hunger targets set within the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, high-income countries such as Australia must reconsider current efforts to improve food security. This study aimed to; explore perspectives from public health nutrition experts on the usefulness of drawing on the international human right to food, and associated mechanisms, to address food insecurity; identify potential roles of key stakeholders in Australia to implement a rights-based approach; and examine barriers and enablers to achieving the right to food in Australia.

Methods:

Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants ( > 10 years professional experience). Braun and Clarke’s (2006) …

Nutrition And Vulnerable Groups, Amanda Devine, Tanya Lawlis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Food insecurity is a complex 'wicked' problem that results from a range of unstable and uncertain physical, social, cultural, and economic factors that limit access to nutritious food...

South West Food Community: A Place-Based Pilot Study To Understand The Food Security System, Stephanie Louise Godrich, Jennifer Payet, Deborah Brealey, Melinda Edmunds, Melissa Stoneham, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The objectives of this study were to: (i) Identify initiatives supporting healthy food availability, access and utilisation in the South West region of Western Australia (WA); and (ii) understand how they were functioning as a system to enhance community-level food security (FS). This study used a novel approach; a Systemic Innovation Lab, to interview initiative leaders/stakeholders about their FS initiative. Initiative characteristics measured included those which were associated with creating the effective conditions for FS systems change. Information was uploaded to an innovative online tool, creating a 'transition card' (matrix) of initiatives and partnering organisations. Fifty-one participants reported on 52 …