Good Food Purchasing Australia
Transforming the public plate for people, place and planet
Australian government funded institutions and programs spend more than $2.13 billion every year on food. How this money is spent shapes what we eat and grow, supply chains, regional and city economies and environmental outcomes. The Transforming the Public Plate report shows how this existing public spend can be used far more effectively – and why coordinated action is needed now.
Our Australian‑first report provides the most comprehensive national picture of public food procurement to date. It demonstrates that sustainable, healthy and equitable food procurement is achievable within existing systems – but only if governments, institutions and programs, practitioners/food actors and funders work together.
The report presents evidence that is clear and actionable - The Good Food Purchasing Australia Alliance is an important partnerships vehicle for what comes next and has been established to turn evidence into action.
Come to our webinar on April 28th 2026 for a briefing and Q & A. Register here
Why this matters
Australia’s current food system delivers abundance for some, but at a high and largely hidden cost to health, the environment and the economy. In an environment of increasingly unstable geopolitics, increasing our food system resilience is critical.
Public food procurement offers a practical, immediate opportunity to shift the current trajectory by aligning existing public spending with creating public value.
Public food procurement is one of the most powerful – and under‑used levers available to governments in Australia.
Every day, hospitals, residential aged care facilities, long day care, schools, correctional facilities, defence and community food programs purchase and serve food to millions of Australians.
These procurement decisions influence: -
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The resilience of our food system
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Health and nutrition outcomes
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Food security and access to healthy food
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Climate and environmental impacts
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Regional economies and livelihoods
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Equity and inclusion across the food system
About us
Good Food Purchasing Australia (GFPA) is a newly formed, action-oriented initiative that connects policy, research and practice to transform how Australian governments source and purchase food. GFPA was established as a direct response to the findings of the Transforming the Plate report, commissioned by the Macdoch Foundation and produced by a national team of food systems researchers and practitioners. GFPA will bring together experts across health, agriculture, environment, procurement and community wellbeing to advocate for a smarter, fairer, more sustainable and resilient food system. GFPA works closely with communities, enterprises, farmers and institutional actors who are driving better food procurement in regions and cities across Australia.
Our values and goals
