Public Food Procurement in Australia — an opportunity for transformation

 

The Australian government spends more than $2.13 billion each year on food for hospitals, aged care homes, early learning centres and other publicly funded institutions. Collectively, these purchasing decisions shape production systems, supply chains, diets, livelihoods and environmental outcomes — ultimately determining who thrives within our food system and who is left behind.

Transforming the Public Plate released by Good Food Purchasing Australia (GFPA), and commissioned by Macdoch Foundation, is an Australian‑first national review of how public food procurement currently works, what is at stake, and what could be achieved through a more strategic and coordinated approach. This report was co-authored by Lean Galvin, Emma-Kate Rose, Dheepa Jeyapalan, Dr Stephanie Godrich and Dr Joanna Horton.

The report finds that public food procurement is a powerful, yet underutilised lever available to Australian governments. When used strategically, it can shape diets, strengthen local supply chains, support farmers and producers, and contribute to national food security and resilience — often within existing procurement budgets.

Drawing on Australian and international evidence, the report identifies practical pathways for reform, including mandatory nutrition and local sourcing standards, backed by clear, legislated targets and investment in local supply chains — offering a clear call to action for food procurement professionals and decision makers.

Read the report to explore the findings and recommendations.

“If governments are serious about strengthening Australia’s resilience, smarter public food procurement is an immediate, practical lever.

It keeps billions of taxpayer dollars circulating in Australian communities, supports local farmers and builds shorter, more resilient local supply chains while costing no more than what we already spend.”

Emma-Kate Rose, Good Food Purchasing Australia