Food

Alpine Health is supporting the delivery of Vic Kids Eat Well across the Alpine Shire. Vic Kids Eat Well is a state-wide movement focused on improving the food and drink environments where kids spend their time. This includes schools, outside school hours care, sports clubs and community facilities. Vic Kids Eat Well is supported by the Victorian Government and is delivered by Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Advisory Service.

Case Study: Bright P-12 College Adds Tasty and Nutritious Options to Their Menu - Vic Kids Eat Well

If you would like to find out more, or you are interested in joining, please email [email protected]

The Healthy Choices: policy directive for Victorian public health services has been mandated by the Victorian Government. It outlines criteria for the foods and drinks that are sold, provided and promoted at public hospitals and health services. Alpine Health met the policy directive in 2023 and continues to review the foods and drinks available to staff, volunteers and visitors to maintain compliance. View the Healthy Choices Case Study.

A food security needs assessment was conducted to understand current barriers and supports in the Alpine Shire. The findings indicate that a range of approaches are necessary to address food insecurity at a local level. The recommendations from this assessment are used to inform the design of place-based strategies to guide future action in this space. View the full Alpine Food Security Needs Assessment Report.

Alpine Health coordinates the Alpine Food Security Network. This network is comprised of key stakeholders involved in community food initiatives and food relief services across the Alpine region. The purpose of the group is to support information sharing and collaboration on local food security initiatives. If you are involved in a community food initiative or food relief service in the Alpine Shire and you would like to join this network, please email [email protected]

The Alpine Health Health Promotion team collaborated with Maternity & Newborn Services to develop a Pregnancy Journey Map and a Breastfeeding Journey Map.

These resources are designed to be introductory guides that encourage further exploration and conversation. Please visit the Maternity & Newborn Services page for further information. 

Alpine Home Harvest (AHH) was a grow your own at home initiative, where participants received wicking beds and coaching to build skills and confidence in growing, storing, preparing and consuming fresh produce. The project aimed to address food insecurity and increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables. The AHH project was modelled on the successful Benalla Grow Your Own project, which has continued to expand. The AHH project was initially piloted in Myrtleford before being extended to Mount Beauty.

View the Alpine Home Harvest Project Review. 

The Fresh Food Guide was created in 2020 to provide a list of local farms, food producers and retail outlets, as well as emergency food relief offerings, community gardens and food shares.

The Alpine Communities Food Access Guide was developed in 2021 to provide a list of emergency food relief offerings, alongside resources to support food growing, storage and cooking.

Alpine Health contributed to the development of the North East Local Food Strategy 2018-2022 as a member of the North East Local Food Strategy Working Group. The strategy was created to support a collaborative, cross-sector approach to strengthen the food system in North East Victoria.