ILWS - Charles Sturt University
ILWS - Charles Sturt University

Food Access

Strategic Research Area

Food Security and Regional Australia

Funding

NSW Ministry of Health Grant $66,000 and in kind donations from 22 organisations that assisted in data collection.

Investigators/Researchers

Jackie Priestly, Lecturer Nutrition and Dietetics, CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences (Adjunct Member ILWS).

Mrs Pollyemma Antees, Accredited Practising Dietitian, North West Nutrition.

Description

healthy food

The research objectives:

  1. How does the availability of the Victorian Healthy Food Access Basket (VHFA Basket) items vary in Western New South Wales (WNSW)?
  2. How does the availability of the top10 commonly purchased fresh fruits and vegetables varieties in Australia vary in WNSW?
  3. How does the cost and affordability of the Victorian Healthy Food Access Basket (VHFA Basket) and it's fruit and vegetable groups vary in grocery stores in WNSW?
  4. Does the availability of fruits and vegetables and the cost and affordability of the VHFA Basket vary in relation to various indicators in WNSW?

Surveyors were trained to use the Victorian Healthy Food Access Basket and a special developed Fruit and Vegetable Variety survey tool. Grocery stores and greengrocers across Western NSW in 2014 were surveyed.

Outputs

A series of outputs is planned including the submissions to peer reviewed academic journals.  Current outputs include;

Murrumbidgee infographic  Food Access and Affordability 2014 - Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Murrumbidgee Primary Care Network.
 Food Access and Affordability 2014 – New England portion of Hunter New England LHD and Primary Care Network.
Western NSW InfographicFood Access and Affordability 2014 – Western NSW Local Health District and Western NSW Primary Care Network.
  Food Access and Affordability 2014 – Far West NSW Local Health District and Western NSW Primary Care Network.
Tackling Food Infographic  Tackling Food Insecurity; getting healthy food on the table.

Please note;

  • The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the NSW Ministry of Health, Charles Sturt University or the local Primary Health Network.
  • The results of individual stores surveyed will not be released.

Outcomes

Expected outcomes from this research include:

  • Increasing awareness of the accessibility of healthy food and the affordability of healthy diets in regional New South Wales.

CONTACT

Ms Jackie Priestly
CSU Wagga Wagga 
Email: jpriestly@csu.edu.au

November 2016