Welcome to the Huon Valley Food Hub.
The objective of the Huon Valley Food Hub is ‘to grow a vibrant and connected food system that contributes to the health, social, economic and environmental outcomes of the Huon Valley’.
We all have our part to play in making our food economy and community thrive. We also have a great opportunity to prepare our Valley for a vibrant and resilient future.
The Huon Valley Food Hub acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the South East Nation, the Melukerdee people of the Huon River and the Lyluequonny people of the Far South. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Introduction
During COVID-19 research undertaken by the University of Tasmania (UTAS) found that in Tasmania there are: increasing rates of household food insecurity (25% in May/June 2021) particularly in rural Tasmanians; a very strong preference from local consumers to eat Tasmanian grown fruit and vegetables; Tasmanians seeking to support locally owned businesses; and an increased focus on sustainability and reducing waste at home and elsewhere in the food system (made more prominent as a result of bare supermarket shelves in the height of the pandemic).
The importance of creating a more resilient system to support the health, social and economic value in the local food system is therefore critical for responding to, and supporting the health and wellbeing of our community.
Internationally, regional food hubs have been used to build resilient regional economies that support locals to eat well, create more local jobs and increase economic activity when compared with a wholesale agriculture focus. In our case, the Hub has the opportunity to help address systemic challenges facing the community such as high rates of household food insecurity, workforce and skills shortages in the horticulture sector, and poor diet related health outcomes. It also provides the opportunity to improve collaboration and coordination, influence policy change and leverage increased demand for regionally grown produce.
