The Ballarat Local Food Collective is a group of committed local people who represent various community organisations which impact the local food system. The collective work with the support of the City of Ballarat to establish, promote and expand a healthy,
resilient and fair food system for all residents.
The Ballarat Local Food Collective is committed to fostering a resilient, sustainable, and
inclusive local food system by supporting and increasing community participation in local food production, and advocating for food equity and access for all residents.
Membership of the Local Food Collective is sought from a diverse range of organisations, businesses and individuals involved in local food systems-related work. Current members represent local community gardens, farmers markets, health promotion organisations, producers, food related social enterprise, education, hospitality, sustainability organisations and council officers.
The Collective is being supported in the first few years by funding through the VicHealth Local Government Partnership, with a focus on developing programs which improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Members of the Collective have been involved in the following initiatives in 2025:
- design and delivery by Ballarat Community Health of the Little Food Explorers program at City of Ballarat long day care centres to increase children’s knowledge and enjoyment of growing and eating vegetables
- development of a Children’s Food Garden at Djila-tjarriu Hub (Alfredton)
- successful funding application by Health Futures Australia and City of Ballarat to support development of a social enterprise model for delivery of healthy and affordable school meals
- developing the Sebastopol Community Farm with support of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre
- promoting local food growing initiatives at the Ballarat Show
- supporting the development of the First Nations Yarning Garden at Barkly Square
- supporting the Grow and Thrive multicultural garden at Barkly Square
- supporting youth focussed food and garden projects at Sebastopol Library
- knowledge sharing amongst coalition members and their broader networks