Food is vital for sustaining life. It also plays an important role in our social experiences, our health, the economy and the environment.
Tasmania’s first Food and Nutrition Policy was adopted in 1994 and lead the nation in the approach taken. However, many things have changed since then. More recent issues include concern about rising rates of obesity and the burden of chronic diet-related disease, the development of the Tasmania Together goals, the Tasmanian Food Industry Strategy and the adoption of nationally consistent food safety legislation.
The Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy 2004 and associated Action and Monitoring Plan brings us up to date and provides a framework for promoting a healthy and safe farm to fork food supply for Tasmanians.
It endorses the broad goals of Tasmania Together through integration of food and nutrition with broader social, economic and environmental goals and embraces a partnership approach across government, non-government, private sector and consumer interests.
The Policy forms a major component of Tasmania’s response to the National Public Health Nutrition Strategy, Eat Well Australia. The Department of Health and Human Services will take a lead role in the implementation of the Policy along with input from other Government Departments. This initiative will also involve working in close partnership with local government and community organisations, as well as furthering the cross agency action currently occurring under the Tasmania Together Health and Wellbeing Cluster.
The redevelopment of the Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy 2004, including a ten-year Action and Monitoring Plan, provides a timely opportunity for a whole-of-government agenda for health gain, consistent with the Tasmania Together vision.
The policy has 12 focus areas, which cover environment, food safety, promoting healthy eating, breastfeeding, food security, primary production, distribution, retail and wholesale, food service, labelling, media, marketing and advertising, technology, and workforce development.
Tasmania’s Vision for Food and Nutrition
Tasmania: a State which produces quality, healthy, safe and affordable food, while sustaining the natural environment and strengthening the local economy; a community empowered to make food choices that enhance health and wellbeing.
Contact: State Nutrition Officer
Public and Environmental Health Service
Department of Health and Human Services
GPO Box 125
HOBART, 7001
ph 03 6222 7731
fax 03 6222 7407
email public.health@dhhs.tas.gov.au