On the 28th March 2025, Dr Nicolette Larder and Dr Jen Hamilton held a presentation at NOVA Smart Region Incubator to share the findings of their research into community meal provisioning initiatives and to explore possibilities for next steps. Specifically: a community meal that is healthy, sustainably sourced and pays the rent to Indigenous folks.
The presentation can be listened to here: https://echo360.net.au/media/5c9b13c6-cbac-4928-b400-cef3e88aa3e6/public
The research into how to simultaneously improve human and planetary health by examining how to build community food infrastructures (CFIs) that are socially and environmentally just has been Phase 2 of the Armidale Climate and Health Project.
CFIs are small-scale, physical and organisational structures and facilities that support the development of healthy, resilient and sustainable food systems and communities. They enable access to healthy food for marginalised groups who suffer a disproportionate chronic disease and health burden, while also supporting the adaptation of the wider agri-food system. Examples include community gardens, food cooperatives, food banks, food relief services, free or low cost soup kitchens and community dinners, food co-ops and pay-what-you can restaurants.
We are especially interested in collective community meal events, and have experimented with different kinds of community meals in Armidale and also researched community meal initiatives across greater Sydney. One of the things we found is that it is very hard for community organisations to find affordable food to provide for the community in need while also sourcing sustainably produced food. This food tends to be more expensive and a luxury item for wealthier people. We are interested in this dilemma and how it relates both to long term public health and wellbeing and also to climate adaptation. We are going to model a meal event that seeks to disrupt the dominant food system, and provides affordable, healthy and sustainably sourced food and pays the rent to Indigenous folks, as a next step.
WHERE & WHEN: The event was held at NOVA Smart Region Incubator, 122 Faulkner Street Armidale, on March 28, 2025 from 9am-1pm
