Framing the research needs for food security in Australia

Abstract

Although Australia is a food exporting country, about 5 % of Australian families suffer food insecurity and many suffer diet related health problems. Ongoing changes as a consequence of external drivers, such as climate change, are likely to have a substantial impact on the food supply system leading to increasing food prices and exacerbating food insecurity. Food security is only one of number of 'securities' that people require to live full lives. Understanding what these securities are and how social-ecological systems operate to provide these securities is a useful frame for food security research. It is important that food security is not dealt within isolation of these other securities. Solutions for food security require the collaboration of industry, civil society and government.