From Paddock to Plate: The School Lunches Helping Tasmanian Farmers

• Significant growth in Tasmanian produce used in free school lunches
• Those behind the program say it provides an alternative income to farmers and helps address food insecurity
• Long term goal to go direct to all local growers

Tasmanian farmers are benefiting from the state’s free school lunch program, with more locally sourced produce being served to students.
School Food Matters works in partnership with Loaves and Fishes Tasmania to provide 21,500 meals a week across 60 Tasmanian public schools.
Both organisations say the program provides a significant alternative market for farmers, with an aim for up to 75 per cent of produce used in the meals to come from local producers.

“Every week the program now uses just under half a tonne of fresh veggies a week, over 150 kilograms of dairy and around 1850 apples, all sourced from our local producers and suppliers,”

Loaves and Fishes Tasmanian chief executive officer Andrew Hillier said,

“When the program first started it was 65 kilograms of fresh produce, eight kilograms of dairy so there has been quite a significant increase since then.”

“The long-term goal is that we will be going direct to all farmers and giving them a strong, alternative market.

Loaves and Fishes procure fresh local ingredients and make 46 per cent of the ready-made delivered into schools. Other schools receive ingredients to cook meals on site.

Mr Hillier said 15 Tasmanian growers supplied produce, including apples, potatoes, flour and parsley.

“Suppliers get good value for their product, food miles are decreased and the supply chain is a lot more robust and tighter.”

“This program demonstrates that food relief, public health and local agriculture do not need to operate separately. When designed well, food systems can strengthen communities and create sustainable economic opportunities for local producers.”

School Food Matters chair Kath Wilson said the School Lunch Program did so much more than feed students.

“There’s this wonderful connection between health, education and the Tasmanian economy.”

Mrs Wilson said it also helped address food insecurity.

“This is a program that has the capacity to make generational change across Tasmania,” Mrs Wilson said.

“It removes hunger and poor food choices which are obstacles to focus, engagement and learning for children.”

“With a great start at school, children can take an understanding of good nutrition with them into adulthood.”

Mrs Wilson encouraged Tasmanian farmers who would like to be involved in the program to reach out to School Food Matters or Loaves and Fishes Tasmania.

ENDS

Images and image captions can be obtained through the following contact details.

Contact details:

Tamara Glumac, Curated Communication 0409 991 634
media@curatedcomms.com.au

Image Credit:

Main image:
Loaves & Fishes Tasmania CEO Andrew Hillier walks the paddock rows with a local producer.
Credit: Moon Cheese Studio

Warehouse image:

Loaves & Fishes Tasmania volunteers sort and prepare fresh produce at the organisation’s Devonport Warehouse.
Credit: Elijah Anderson, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania

Final image:

Loaves & Fishes Tasmania CEO Andrew Hillier (left) speaks with a local grower about
fresh produce partnerships.
Credit: Moon Cheese Studio