Media response - food insecurity engagement

Published on 11 August 2023

Response to the Fleurieu Sun.

  • I'd like to expand a bit on the food survey. Could the mayor comment on the difficulty some families face to get food on the table and perhaps what council is doing to help?

Comments attributed to Mayor Moira Were

We recognise that economic pressures and the rising cost of living are impacting everyone, but for some families the impacts are extremely challenging.

Last year’s Foodbank Hunger Report found that in the previous 12 months, more than 130,000 households in South Australia went hungry, sometimes skipping meals or going whole days without eating.

In partnership with City of Marion and University of Adelaide, this survey, which follows tested methodology, will help us to understand the scope of the problem to support our collaborative community efforts.

We want all residents over 18 to complete the anonymous survey, whether they’re experiencing difficulty in putting food on the table or not. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete and is open until Sunday 27 August.

If there’s anyone that needs urgent support, our website connects residents with a range of initiatives in the region that support and promote accessible, affordable and nutritious food. This includes information about emergency food assistance options and where to find free and low-cost meals.

The website also includes information on other food and garden initiatives promoting health and wellbeing in the City of Onkaparinga, such as the recent Pop-up Social Supermarket we hosted in Old Reynella alongside a range of other local services and community groups.

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