The South East Queensland Food System Strategy

Know our food system: Evidence-based region-wide food system planning 

• Integrate food system planning. Improve useful and reliable data and dynamic mapping of food production, processing/manufacturing, distribution, retail and consumption prioritising improved preparedness to shocks (e.g., drought).
• Track supply chain performance by maintaining up‑to‑date and accessible mapping and indicators on production, processing, distribution, logistics, cold‑chain capacity, input dependencies and system vulnerabilities to strengthen redundancy and resilience.

Protect productive capacity: Safeguard agricultural resources and critical infrastructure

• Improve and use labour data to enhance the ability to manage workforce capacity, trends, and vulnerabilities across the agrifood system.

• Identify, update and manage priority food‑system values across industrial, urban, coastal and agricultural land to inform coordinated, evidence‑based coastal and land‑use decisions.

Ensure equitable food access: Affordable and nutritious food for all

• Assess and strengthen food affordability, access, nutritional adequacy for all SEQ residents prioritising evidence-based actions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, low-income households, and culturally diverse communities.
• Map local food environments including availability, affordability, and accessibility of healthy and nutritious food in well-designed communities and tourism destinations.

Leverage the 2032 Games: Catalyse development of a sustainable and inclusive food system

• Integrate SEQ food system goals into mega sporting event legacy performance measures, procurement processes and programs to strengthen local agri-food business participation and long‑term capability building.
• Assess mega sporting event food delivery specifically procurement, supply chains and food experiences—tracking environmental, economic, cultural and social co‑benefits and demonstrating a measurable First Nation and local food legacy.

Enable enduring regional benefits: Co-designed with local, multicultural and Indigenous groups

• Plan and coordinate a sustainable food system across production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management to guide SEQ’s transition toward a low‑emissions, circular and resilient food system.
• Showcase the full breadth of SEQ’s food at mega sporting events by presenting diverse, authentic local, multicultural, nutritious and First Nation foods.
• Establish a mega‑sporting event regional food system monitoring and evaluation framework to track lead up, event delivery and legacy outcomes.

Showcase SEQ’s food identity: Distinctive, nutritious and culturally rich food

• Expand multi market access and innovation pathways for SEQ producers by strengthening capability, shared infrastructure and procurement accessibility for small, multicultural and First Nation food enterprises.
• Build a lasting ‘out of Games’ food legacy for SEQ by supporting supplier capability through compliance support, aggregation models and enhanced commercial networks.

Harness data innovation: Integrate and use food system data effectively

• Strengthen digital capability and cross‑sector collaboration by expanding the use of AI‑enabled analytics and interoperable data systems across all elements of the food system.
• Develop region‑wide digital platforms and data standards to connect context-relevant food system data across production, logistics, retail and consumption.

Innovative value creation: Leverage learning networks and circular economy solutions

• Invest in targeted regional food system learning and peer to peer exchange, using pilot projects and demonstration sites to test high‑value, sustainable food products and production models.

• Expand sustainable food value creationby supporting low-emissions and resource-efficient practices, and enabling value added processing aligned with shifting consumer and procurement trends.

• Develop practical sustainability reporting and credentialing toolstailored for SEQ enterprises to support participation in procurement programs, including mega sporting event markets.

• Align food value‑creation initiatives with tourism, export, and regional development strategiesto amplify economic and place‑based benefits.

Utilise Indigenous food knowledge: Create food market and food security opportunities

• Co-define measurable food objectives with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and embed these in food security planning, procurement and investment processes.

• Embed Indigenous knowledge in food innovation,ensuring culturally safe, appropriately governed approaches aligned with local priorities for economic development, cultural continuity, and food system stewardship.

Align food system values: Harmonise food production, manufacturing, and workforce strategies with changing societal values

• Embed place-based workforce strategies across the SEQ food system by supporting skills development and ensuring a responsive labour force across production, manufacturing, distribution, retail and food services.

• Support the development and scaling of goods and servicesthat respond to growing demand for healthy, convenient, low emissions, culturally diverse, and high value foods.