Victorians Urged to ‘Vote for Food’ as Statewide Campaign Launches Ahead of Election
With food insecurity rising, farmers under pressure and communities demanding greater control over their food environments, Sustain: The Australian Food Network is launching Vote for Food Victoria 2026 ahead of the 28 November state election.
The campaign will officially launch on Wednesday 9 September - Vote for Food Day - with a statewide webinar and community actions in Northcote and Castlemaine.
Vote for Food calls on political parties and candidates to commit to five priorities:
- Make food a human right
- Build healthy food communities
- Good food for every Victorian child
- Support First Nations food sovereignty
- Back Victorian farmers
The campaign also calls for a Victorian Food System Strategy and Investment Plan, stronger whole-of-government coordination, a representative Victorian Food Council, greater local government capacity, public monitoring and long-term investment.
Sustain Executive Director Dr Nick Rose said Victoria could no longer treat food insecurity, health, agriculture and planning as separate issues.
“Food affects our health, household budgets, children, farmers, communities and environment, yet responsibility for food remains fragmented across government.
“We’re asking all parties to recognise that every Victorian deserves good food, and to put in place the policies, institutions and resources needed to make that a reality.”
The campaign builds on Sustain’s Victorian Food Policy Forum, which brought together 150 leaders in Melbourne in May. Participants called for recognition of food as a human right, coordinated food system governance, support for local food systems and farmers, universal school meals and long-term investment in food security.
Dr Rose said that now is the time to move beyond short-term crisis responses.
“We cannot food-relief our way out of food insecurity. Victoria needs to shift from managing symptoms to prevention, long-term investment and stronger community participation in food system decisions.”
Communities push for healthier food environments
Vote for Food Day will feature community actions in Northcote and Castlemaine, where residents are campaigning for planning reforms that would give councils greater power to shape healthier local food environments.
Both campaigns support David Ettershank MP’s Planning Amendment (Restricting New Fast Food Developments) Bill 2026, which would strengthen councils’ ability to consider public health, fast food outlet saturation and proximity to schools.
In Northcote, Darebin City Council rejected a proposed 24-hour McDonald’s on High Street before the decision was overturned through the planning appeals process. In Castlemaine, residents are opposing a proposed 24-hour drive-through McDonald’s at the entrance to the historic town centre.
Dr Rose said the disputes highlighted a broader democratic question.
“This is about more than individual fast food outlets. It is about whether communities have a meaningful say over the health and character of the places where they live.”
The Food Policy Forum similarly called for planning reform that protects agricultural land, embeds healthy food access and health considerations in development, and enables councils to restrict fast food outlets, particularly around schools and youth spaces.
Food security built with communities
Emma Watts, CEO of Cultivating Community, said food security requires a long-term, coordinated response that extends beyond emergency food relief.
“Lasting food security depends on affordable access to healthy food, stronger local food systems and solutions shaped by the communities they serve.”
“By investing in practical, community-led solutions, we can help create a fairer and more resilient food system for all Victorians.”
Dr Rose said Vote for Food was about building a healthier and more resilient Victoria.
“A better food system means healthier children, stronger regional economies, healthier neighbourhoods and communities better able to withstand economic and climate shocks.”
EVENT DETAILS
Vote for Food Victoria 2026 Campaign Launch Webinar
Wednesday 9 September 2026 | Online | Free
The webinar, featuring leading food governance researcher Dr Dori Patay (Sydney University) and leading food security researcher Dr Rebecca Lindberg (Deakin University) will introduce the campaign priorities, outline the election asks and discuss how communities can engage candidates and encourage them to support the Vote for Food pledge.
Community actions will also take place at 5.00 pm at:
- 319–325 High Street, Northcote
- 72–80 Forest Street, Castlemaine
Media are invited to attend.
Daily Bulletin
