We are working towards a thriving food future by getting more local food to local people, reducing the climate and ecological footprint of food and celebrating our food culture.
Alexandrina, Mount Barker, Onkaparinga and Yankalilla councils, Regional Development Australia, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, Fleurieu Food, Engage Change and Sustainable Table have joined together to support the Hills and Fleurieu Local Food Future project. Together we are working towards a thriving food future in our region.
Liz Sanders from The Food Embassy has been employed as a Local Food Activator to bring stakeholders from business, community and government together, plan for and deliver projects for sustainable food futures, and hold events promoting the local food region.
Our key projects for 2024-25
- Healthy Minds, Healthy Farmers, Healthy Landscapes Healthy Minds, Healthy Farmers, Healthy Landscapes
- First Nations-led Projects First Nations-led Projects
- Increasing local food demand Increasing local food demand
- Strengthening local food supply chains Strengthening local food supply chains
- Building strong partnerships Building strong partnerships
During 2024-2025, we supported farmer's mental health through the Healthy Minds, Healthy Farmers, Healthy Landscapes project.
This initiative was funded through a $20,000 Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal grant.
In partnership with the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation the initiative aimed to break down stigma, increase awareness and skills around mental health and facilitate the creation of a community network to support the food and farming community.
We kicked off with Paddock Mates, a free informal barbeque held in Yankalilla in late November with around 30 people attending, followed by a Be Mental Health Aware session at Strathalbyn and finally training 10 community members in Mental Health First Aid so our community are better prepared to support each other through mental health challenges.
We are working with the First Nations Advisory Group to identify opportunities for First Nations-led food projects and enterprises
We are supporting the increase of local food demand through promoting, educating and connecting people to local food.
Join us for the premiere of Local Food Stories, a Fleurieu film production by Liz Sanders, Liza Savchuk and Libby Tozer.
Experience two powerful documentaries sharing the stories of local farmers and producers finding ways to grow and distribute fresh food that is good for people and planet.
One is a local production of Fleurieu farming stories, the other is Flip the Food Bowl – from the Sunraysia region in Victoria. Hear the real stories of the challenges on local farmers, why local food is a critical part of future resilience and imagine what we want our future food communities to look like.
Q&A panel and a lovely local supper provided. Panel to be announced in January.
A great chance to support our local farmers and local food.
In April 2025 we hosted our second Local Food on Country event at Peninsula Providore. This family-friendly event connects community with First Nations custodians and local producers to learn about food, culture and how we can each support a thriving food system in our region. Over 230 people joined us to learn, taste the best of local produce, be inspired by thought leaders and enjoy live music, games and a day out in the beautiful grounds of Peninsula Providore.
View the 2025 Local Food on Country event video here.
To find out about our next events, sign up to The Food Embassy's mailing list here.
During 2024-25 we trialled a collaborative food delivery model called the Cool Road Collective and explored solutions to the limited meat processing facilities in the region.
The Cool Road Collective helps small-scale food producers share transport resources, reducing both emissions and costs. After a four-month trial the model achieved:
- 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- 80% reduction in delivery time
This allows producers to focus more on business growth and sustainability, aligning with our broader goals for sustainable business practices and a stronger local food economy. We secured South Australia’s first refrigerated EV truck for the final stage of the trial, marking an exciting milestone in low-emission food distribution.
The success of this electric truck trial paves the way for a more sustainable, low-emission food distribution model for the region, strengthening both local businesses and the community.
Building strong partnerships across the region from paddock to plate and beyond.
Our achievements so far
The project is providing valuable outcomes for our region. Click on our infographic below to read about our achievements for 2024/25.
Find out more about the Fleurieu Local Food Future project and how you can get involved, visit The Food Embassy website.