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In 2010 owner of Bush Goddess Foods Pennie Scott penned a paper that posed a question: Does Australia have the capacity to feed itself in the event of pandemics, terrorist attacks and natural disasters?

The fragility of Canberra’s food security came to the fore when the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters interrupted supply chains and impacted Australian crop production and food processing.

About 95 per cent of Canberra’s food is sourced from outside the region, and experts say it’s time for individuals, businesses and the government to take steps to shore up the city’s food system.

Regional Development Australia ACT is an independent organisation with a Board/Committee of ten local leaders, focused on economic development. We cover the Australian Capital Territory but work with neighbouring RDAs in New South Wales on joint projects. We work closely with international and domestic investors to assist them to establish or expand in our region – across all industries - but especially in the agriculture and food value chain.

This is an employer briefing on this project. It will include a conversation about common sets of skills you would like to see new staff already have when they turn up to work on the first day. It will be a chance for enterprises to ask questions about the time frame for the project and meet others who are already participating.

Calling all café and restaurant owners, farmers, foodies, food manufacturers, wine & juice producers, food retailers and grocers, startups, researchers, developers, architects, landscape architects, government program & policy people, social enterprises, ag/food tech, training & skills organisations and transport providers.

Recent years haven't been easy for Australia - we've experienced droughts, bushfires, and pandemic. It's been a huge challenge for the food and agribusiness industry. As the future is unpredictable, we should be prepared and ensure ongoing resilience.

“Currently 95% of Canberra's food is shipped in from major markets in Sydney or Melbourne. That could (and should) all change over the coming decade as Michael suggests and is working toward (and what a cool idea, a healthy greens production path from Canberra to Sydney!).”
- says Anthea Fawcett from Nourishing Matters

The Regional Development Australia network will be refocused to attract investment and jobs to their regions, Minister for...

RDA’s Board has decided to delay our signature event Food in the Capital 3 from 8-9 September until 2023

Join a dynamic NFP Board helping lead investment and job creation in the Australian Capital Territory

When Johnathan Efkarpidis, director of Molonglo Group and one of the masterminds behind the world-acclaimed NewActon precinct,...