The Community Plate (TCP) is a collective of local organisations, groups and individuals working together to realise our newly announced Community Aspiration, that ‘we are all connected to food that is local, healthy and abundant.’
TCP has dedicated a large amount of time to develop this Community Aspiration. Over an 18 month period TCP held in depth discussions with a wide range of stakeholders and community members to develop this authentic, localised vision that will guide all future work.
“We spent a lot of time to ensure that we got our Community Aspiration right. We spoke with many, many people and developed an aspiration for The Community Plate that will progress work that genuinely represents what our region wants and needs,” says Rod Mackintosh, Chair of the Community Plate Leadership Group.
During recent community conversations residents told us things like, “I would love to be buying more locally produced food but work and family commitments mean it’s hard to drive further to purchase food,” and “the cost of buying healthy food can be inhibitive, especially when you know you can get a whole meal deal for $5, even when you know its rubbish.” So we know the interest is there but we need to work on fundamental issues such as access, affordability and availability.
Key organisations currently involved in TCP are Peninsula Health, Frankston City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership, the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash University.
Looking forward, TCP is going to be undertaking a wide range of initiatives and coordinating activities to help us realise our community aspiration. This will include establishing a local Food Network and launching a localised social marketing campaign aimed at increasing vegetable intake in children.
Anyone with an interest in healthy, fresh food, strengthening the local food system and helping us realise our community aspiration is welcome to get involved. To sign up go to www.communityplate.org.au
Sources
Australian Institute of health and Welfare 2018. Australia Health 2018, 4.10 Overweight and Obesity. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2018/contents/table-of-contents?mc_cid=c1415bba7d&mc_eid=8e340b4f4b
(Photo was taken prior to Covid-19 restrictions)