Mirrabooka to host Community Food Centre in WA first
Vinnies WA and Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services have launched a joint needs assessment report, paving the way for a WA-first Community Food Centre to be established in Mirrabooka in Perth’s northern suburbs.
The report is the culmination of research into the extent of food insecurity in Mirrabooka and surrounding suburbs, and to identify community needs.
Community Food Centres (CFC) use a multi-layered approach which concurrently targets the individual, community and systemic factors influencing food insecurity, an increasing issue in WA.
The research had a number of key findings around food insecurity as well as social isolation and loneliness in the Mirrabooka community, including:
- 44 per cent of survey respondents indicated they had run out of food in the previous 12 months and were unable to afford to buy more;
- Over 90 per cent of the households that reported running out of food also had at least one child, indicating a high number of children being exposed to food insecurity;
- Respondents who reported experiencing social isolation and loneliness were more likely to engage in negative coping strategies if they did not have enough money to buy food;
- The report’s findings support the establishment of a Community Food Centre in Mirrabooka.
“We are all aware of the extent of the current cost-of-living pressures, and the findings of this report highlight the impact of food insecurity on some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The Community Food Centre is an innovative, evidence-based approach of addressing food insecurity and supporting people,” Vinnies CEO Susan Rooney said.
“We’re confident a new Community Food Centre will make a positive and lasting change. It will help us tackle social isolation, promote healthy and nutritious food, and ultimately build a better community,” said Andrea Creado, CEO of Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services.
The project team will undertake a community consultation before the Community Food Centre is established. Members of the public who are interested in taking part in the consultation, and in receiving regular updates, can contact cfcmirrabooka@svdpwa.org.au to be added to the mailing list.
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