Media response – Proposed community food hub, Seaford

Published on 13 January 2026

Enquiry – The Advertiser

I’m writing about the proposal to establish a social supermarket at Seaford and wanted to ask council a few questions around the project. 

If council would also be able to connect us with a local family who would benefit from this initiative and be happy to be in a photo, that would be very much appreciated.  

• Can council comment on where this proposal is at?
• Has council been successful in its tender and securing funding for the supermarket from the Department of Human Services?
• What other approvals will council need? Is it expected to open in May?
• On average, how much can a family expect to save on their weekly grocery bill by shopping at the supermarket?
• What kind of groceries and products can customers expect to find in the supermarket?
• Council has proposed establishing the supermarket at Seaford, which it found to be experiencing one of the highest levels of food insecurity. Is this compared to the rest of the Onkaparinga council area or the state/country?
• Can council comment on the rate of food insecurity in Seaford and the rest of the council area?
• Anything else council would be keen to add? 

Also, can I check, are we able to use food insecurity and food poverty interchangeably? For example, when council says "Seaford and surrounding areas are experiencing one of the highest levels of food insecurity" - would we be able to say these areas are experiencing the highest levels of food poverty?

Would you also be able to say who the two groups that use Hasting Street Hall (where the supermarket will be based) are? 

Response

Please see responses to your questions below. We are unable to nominate a family for a case study given the outcome of the tender is not yet known.

The references used on savings are:

Monash University case study – “The Community Grocer”

This Australian study evaluated weekly fresh fruit and vegetable markets and found that common produce items were, on average, approximately 40% cheaper than at local retail stores. The impact of social enterprise on food insecurity – An Australian case study - Monash University

NEPHU report – “Understanding Social Supermarket Best Practice Models”

This desktop review, focused on Australia and international examples, highlights that social supermarket pricing strategies vary but generally offer significant cost reductions (30–50%) compared to standard retail. Understanding Social Supermarket Best Practice Models - NEPHU

Council can confirm that a tender was submitted by The Food Centre, in partnership with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and council, to the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Social Supermarket Program for the establishment of an Onkaparinga Community Food Hub at Hastings Street Hall, Seaford.

We are awaiting DHS to formally announce the tender outcome.

Council approved the establishment of a Community Food Hub at Hastings Street in November 2025, subject to a successful DHS tender.

If funding is secured, a Planning and Development Application will be required for the sale of food and modifications to Hastings Street Hall. Environmental Health will also review public health considerations as part of this process.

If funding is secured, the anticipated timeline remains for modifications to occur in early 2026, with an opening for 1 May 2026.

Social supermarkets typically offer groceries at significantly reduced prices compared to standard retail. Based on general industry benchmarks and published evaluations of social supermarket models in Australia and overseas, this can often mean prices are approximately 30–50% lower than standard retail.

If we are successful with funding, customers could expect a range of affordable, nutritious groceries including fresh produce, pantry staples, dairy, meat, and culturally appropriate foods, along with household essentials.

This comparison is within the Onkaparinga council area. Seaford and surrounding suburbs were identified as having high levels of food insecurity, with services limited and unable to meet demand through council’s 2023 Putting food on the Table investigation.

Council’s 2023 investigation found that approximately 40.4% of households across Onkaparinga experience some level of food insecurity.  

Seaford sits within the Central South district, where around 40% of respondents reported food insecurity.  

The highest levels of need were recorded in the Central North-East and Central North-West districts, where approximately 49% of respondents reported food insecurity. These districts include suburbs such as Hackham West, Huntfield Heights, Old Reynella, Woodcroft, Morphett Vale, Christie Downs, O’Sullivan Beach, Noarlunga Centre and Noarlunga Downs. 

Other areas with elevated rates include the Southern District (around 41%), which covers Aldinga, and the Northern district (around 40%), which includes Aberfoyle Park, Flagstaff Hill, Happy Valley, O’Halloran Hill.  

While the central north districts have the highest rates of food insecurity, they also have the greatest concentration of food relief services.  

In contrast, Seaford and southern areas have fewer options, which is why the proposed Community Food Hub aims to fill this gap.

Council would highlight that this initiative, if successful, is more than a supermarket, it’s a community hub designed to provide dignity, choice, and connection, while reducing food waste and strengthening local partnerships between other food relief agencies and social services.

In relation to food insecurity and food poverty, I’ve been advised that preferably, the terms are not used interchangeably. As food insecurity refers to the condition where people have limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. It’s a measurable concept often used in surveys and public health reporting.

Food poverty is more commonly used in the UK and Europe and often describes the social and economic circumstances that lead to food insecurity. It can include broader issues like income inequality and systemic barriers.

While they are related, they are not strictly interchangeable because food insecurity is the preferred term in Australian policy and research. Using food poverty might confuse audiences or imply a different context. For these reasons, it’s suggested that food security be used.

Without naming the groups, we can confirm that they are aware that we have submitted a tender for a social supermarket at Hastings Street Hall. We are keeping them informed of the application process.