A Food Relief Charter for South Australia-Towards a Shared Vision for Pathways Out of Food Insecurity.

Chronic food insecurity persists in high-income countries, leading to an entrenched need for food relief. In Australia, food relief services primarily focus on providing food to meet immediate need. To date, there has been few examples of a vision in the sector towards client outcomes and pathways out of food insecurity. In 2016, the South Australian Government commissioned research and community sector engagement to identify potential policy actions to address food insecurity. This article describes the process of developing a co-designed South Australian Food Relief Charter, through policy-research-practice collaboration, and reflects on the role of the Charter as both a policy tool and a declaration of a shared vision. Methods used to develop the Charter, and resulting guiding principles, are discussed. This article reflects on the intentions of the Charter and suggests how its guiding principles may be used to guide collective actions for system improvement. Whilst a Charter alone may be insufficient to create an integrated food relief system that goes beyond the provision of food, it is a useful first step in enabling a culture where the sector can have a unified voice to advocate for the prevention of food insecurity.

An evaluation of a nutrition intervention at childcare centres in South Australia.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Research has shown that childcare menus in South Australia, Australia and overseas lack key nutrients recommended for children. This paper describes an incentive initiative that aimed to improve the nutrition provided to children attending childcare centres in the southern metropolitan area of South Australia between 2001 and 2003. METHODS: To attain the 'Start Right Eat Right' award, aimed at childcare centres, directors and cooks from 50 centres were required to attend training, analyse a current menu for quality and quantity against various tools, review their food policy for essential criteria, have two site visits and have all staff trained in a recognised food safety and hygiene program. RESULTS: Forty-four (88%) of the centres completed training. Qualitative feedback from 10 awarded centres reported substantial changes and their food policy analysis showed an increase of essential points from an average score of 8.4 to 17.1 (max. score 18). More than 300 staff completed food hygiene training. Fifty per cent of the eligible centres had completed the award at program evaluation. CONCLUSION: This multi-strategic intervention was effective in improving the food provided and nutrition practices in childcare settings. Strategies attributed to its success were an inter-sectoral approach and the creation of supportive environments.