Food Security in Australia: The Logistics of Vulnerability

Abstract

Food systems are the foundation of human health and wellbeing, so understanding and managing the weaknesses and vulnerabilities within complex food systems is essential to society. As Australia’s population ages and grows, and climate change impacts are realized, the need to ensure the effectiveness of food systems will only increase. This chapter aims to contribute to this goal by providing an overview of the dynamics of food systems and food security in Australia, particularly with regards to transport and logistics. Chronic food insecurity is a particular concern in rural, remote and Indigenous communities and is related to the characteristics of food insecure people, the characteristics of their environments and how these interact with each other within the food system. Food security is threatened by structural, infrastructural and management challenges within the food transport industry. Challenges within the industry, which is witnessing strong growth in demand, may contribute to rising food prices and hence chronic food insecurity. Climate change is predicted to severely disrupt food production in Australia, exacerbating these issues. Australia does not hold any food in reserve for use in an emergency; disasters such as an influenza pandemic can cause transitory food insecurity events to which the Australian food system is particularly vulnerable. While the current food logistics system is largely efficient and effective under normal circumstances, its ability to continue operating in the event of a major disaster is questionable. Australian food transport is built around the principle of ‘just-in-time’ movement of freight; this reduces inefficiency under normal circumstances but leaves no margins in the event of a disaster. Climate change will also increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events which may spark transitory food insecurity.