Key Findings and Recommendations
On 13th April 2026, a landmark report unveiled the advantages of strategically using Australia’s $2.13 billion public food expenditure. Smarter spending could bolster national resilience, aid local farmers, and boost public health.
Good Food Purchasing Australia (GFPA) produced the report, titled ‘Transforming the Public Plate’, with funding from the Macdoch Foundation. It evaluates potential improvements in food procurement within publicly funded institutions for better outcomes.
Annually, Australian governments allocate over $2.13 billion, or $6 million daily, to food in public institutions such as hospitals and aged care facilities. This massive investment can achieve more significant impacts with effective utilization.
Leah Galvin, Co-Lead of GFPA and co-author of the report, stated, “Australia is spending billions of dollars every year feeding people in public institutions, but we’re not asking nearly enough of that investment.” She emphasised the need for fresh, local produce to replace low-quality, imported ingredients.
A focus on cost and scale characterises the current public food procurement system, often under the control of large suppliers and multinationals. This limits opportunities for local producers. Therefore, the report advocates for better coordination and transparency in the procurement process.
Call for National Standards
Mandatory nutrition and sustainability standards for public food procurement are recommended in the report. Legislating targets for healthy, local, and sustainable food sourcing is suggested to support Australian farmers and improve food quality in public settings.
Dheepa Jeyapalan, another Co-Lead of GFPA, noted, “Better public food procurement is not about spending more, it’s about spending smarter.” She pointed to the overwhelming public support for changes prioritising health, sustainability, and locally sourced food.
Global events such as the fuel crisis, triggered by the war in Iran, pose risks to Australia’s food system. These crises threaten supply chain stability, underlining the necessity for more resilient local supply chains.
Recommendations from the report are anticipated to significantly influence ongoing consultations for a national food security strategy. By early 2027, a final strategy is expected to secure better health outcomes, sustainability, and prosperity for local farming communities.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 12:28 pm
