Why
Canberra is largely reliant on food grown elsewhere, with 95% of our leafy greens traveling from Sydney. Annually, over 25,000 people in the AACT lack enough food while 30% of food is wasted.
We trust in a shareholder-drive supermarket duopoly for much of our food.
Traditional farming across the world has denuded large swathes of previously productive land, while Australian farmers who are great land stewards, need to be recognised and incentivized.
Transport and retail purchasing are massive sources of local and global emissions.
Access to plentiful, accessible, affordable, nutritious food is assumed in wellbeing measures. The Pandemic, Climate Change & Strategic Threats have cast serious doubt on that assumption.
Economic and Social Impact
Up to 3000 to 6000 new jobs, depending on local food sourcing targets.
Employment multiplier of 2.14 (1 new food job created = 2 additional jobs generated). Output multiplier of 1.75 ($1 investment = $1.75 dollars in further output).
Price / quantity benefit of up to $400m per annum based on potential import substitution effects.
Reduced obesity, health costs, welfare dependency and improved mental health.
Increased inward investment by at least $100 million in the Canberra Region over 5 years.