Strengthening the regional approach to food systems and healthy eating

Recently the Barwon South West Public Health Unit hosted the third regional forum for the year in Camperdown, on Djargurd Wurrung country.

The event brought together stakeholders and health partners from across the Barwon South West region to mobilise the public health ecosystem to optimise health outcomes for regional communities. The aim of this forum was to reduce health inequities through a robust collective regional approach to strengthen food systems and healthy eating across the Barwon South West region.

Attendees were able to hear from special guest Dr Sandro Demaio, CEO of VicHealth, to explore collective opportunities to improve health equity across our diverse communities and were inspired by case study presentations from Golden Plains Shire Council, Western District Health Service and Deakin University.

Attendees then took part in a workshop aimed at collaborating within the health ecosystem with guests working together to explore and discuss ideas around policy, community, and improving food systems and healthy eating with a focus on quick wins, long term goals and wider strategies that the region could support with advocacy.

These forums are part of the commitment of the Barwon South West Public Health Unit to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for the region through genuine partnership, shared decision-making and working collectively to achieve agreed outcomes in areas of shared priority.