Shepparton Food Hub Project – Goulburn Valley, Victoria, Australia (2012–2017)

Project team member
Contributed to the co-design and strategic development of a $7 million regional food initiative aimed at localizing the food economy in the Goulburn Valley, often called “Australia’s (and South-East Asia’s) Food Bowl.” Initiated by the City of Greater Shepparton, the project sought to create a community garden at KidsTown adventure playground that would become a launchpad for new food services, enterprise models, and cultural engagement.

→ Co-created the GV Food Movement and culturally relevant food box systems to meet the needs of the region’s diverse communities
→ Involved in developing place-based strategies for food sovereignty, education, and civic participation
→ Collaborated with Pollen Studio, local stakeholders, and social entrepreneurs to shape a vision grounded in accessibility, inclusion, and regenerative practice
→ Designed a phased implementation approach, integrating input from local, state, and federal agencies
→ Aimed to build a region-wide platform for community-led food innovation and enterprise development

The project continues to inform regional food systems thinking in Victoria. Read about the project on the following R&D paper.

Policy Scheme: Regional Food Renaissance (2025–onwards)

Objective:
To transform Australia's major regional food centres into vibrant, locally-rooted food ecosystems that celebrate place, culture, and community while supporting regenerative agriculture and local economies.

Target Regions:

• Victoria: Shepparton / Goulburn Valley, Sunraysia / Mildura, Bendigo, Geelong, Western District, Ballarat

• New South Wales: Orange, Griffith, Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, Coffs Harbour

• Northern Territory: Alice Springs, Katherine, Darwin, Arnhem Land (supporting Aboriginal community-led food and land management projects)

• Queensland: Lockyer Valley, Bundaberg, Cairns, Northern Rivers

• Tasmania: Tamar Valley, Huon Valley

• South Australia: Murray Bridge, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills

• Western Australia: Margaret River, Peel Region, Swan Valley

Key Principles:

1. Place-Led Economic Activation:
   Redirect investment from abstracted export-focused strategies toward tangible, place-based practices that benefit local communities.

2. Community Co-Design and Stewardship:
   Empower citizens, schools, producers, and local councils to co-create programs and hubs, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.

3. Regenerative Practice Embedded:
   Integrate sustainable farming practices that restore soils, biodiversity, and water systems, building climate resilience and long-term productivity.

4. Cultural and Gastronomic Identity:
   Develop unique food narratives for each region to attract visitors and strengthen local pride, positioning towns as destination hubs for culinary tourism.

5. Education and Capacity Building:
   Collaborate with local schools, universities, and community programs to build skills, food literacy, and resilient social networks.

Implementation Pathway:

• Local Food Hubs:
  Establish hubs that integrate processing, retail, and educational spaces, serving as community centres for food-related activities.

• Community Food Programs:
  Launch initiatives inspired by successful models like Peach n Pear and Huon Valley Food Hub, focusing on local food access and education.

• School and University Partnerships:
  Develop programs that connect students with local food systems, promoting hands-on learning and community involvement.

• Policy and Investment Realignment:
  Allocate funds toward practical local infrastructure and programs, ensuring that investments deliver immediate community benefits.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Economic Resilience:
  Create jobs in food production, processing, gastronomy, and tourism, retaining a greater share of food system value locally.

• Social Cohesion:
  Strengthen community networks through food-centred spaces that connect diverse groups and foster collaboration.

• Environmental Regeneration:
  Support climate-adaptive and sustainable farming practices, contributing to ecological health and resilience.

• Cultural Revitalisation:
  Establish regions as nationally and internationally recognised food destinations, enhancing local identity and pride.