Understanding the scale, severity and causes of food insecurity amongst Aboriginal communities in NSW: A pilot study of food insecurity prevalence and severity.
The Sax Institute (Sax) were commissioned by Aboriginal Affairs NSW to complete this research examining the severity of food insecurity experienced by Aboriginal communities in NSW. This report complements the literature review found below, that Sax brokered the University of Sydney to complete, which explores the root causes of Aboriginal food insecurity in NSW.
For this research project, Sax administered the internationally recognised 18-point United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module in one urban, one regional, and one remote location in NSW. Sax partnered with the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation (Tharawal) in Airds, Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation (RivMed) in Wagga Wagga, and Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (BACHS) and Maranguka Community Hub in Bourke. The survey was adapted to be contextually and culturally relevant to the participating communities. It was administered by trusted local Aboriginal researcher officers working at the partner organisations.
155 respondents were surveyed: 55 in Tharawal, 50 in Wagga Wagga, and 50 in Bourke. Although the results cannot be considered representative of each community, the survey data reveals very high levels of food insecurity experienced by respondents in the three locations. The statistics contained within this report debunk the idea that food insecurity is primarily a problem for communities in remote locations as the severity of food insecurity experienced by respondents in the urban and regional locations were also very high.
Respondents were asked topical questions about the impact of Covid-19 on their experience of food (in)security. Sax also provides a series of guidances.
Sax’s final report can be found below.
Evidence for improving food security in Aboriginal communities in NSW
The issue of food security has been a longstanding one for Aboriginal peoples in NSW. It became spotlighted in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, various natural disasters, and cost of living pressures.
This Evidence Check rapid review is part of a larger research project undertaken by the Sax Institute, as commissioned by AANSW, to understand the root causes, severity, and distribution of food (in)security as experienced by Aboriginal peoples in NSW. The Evidence Check was undertaken by The University of Sydney and brokered by the Sax Institute.
This review team comprised three Aboriginal and four non-Aboriginal reviewers with expertise in nutrition, dietetics, public health, and Aboriginal health research. The team’s approach allowed for the situated knowledges of each Aboriginal reviewer to be reflected, and for a decolonised lens to be applied to the research. This ensured Aboriginal voices and cultural knowledge systems were appropriately integrated into the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of this report.
The following three questions are addressed in this paper’s rapid review of academic and grey literature:
Question 1: What factors contribute to food insecurity for Aboriginal peoples in NSW?
Question 2: What is known about the scale and distribution of food insecurity for Aboriginal peoples in NSW?
Question 3: What policies and programs have been effective in improving food security for First Nations people, nationally and internationally?
This research forms part of the evidence base for AANSW, food security stakeholders, and Aboriginal communities to strengthen food security amongst Aboriginal communities in NSW.
AANSW will publish further research by the Sax Institute that addresses some of the gaps identified in the Evidence Check.
Download the Evidence Check rapid review below.
