Background
In 2009, the Tasmanian Government established a Tasmanian Food Security Council to administer a Food Security Fund and develop a Food Security Strategy.
In March 2012,the Premier, Lara Giddings MP, released Food for all Tasmanians – a food security strategy, developed by the Tasmanian Food Security Council. Food for all Tasmaniansoutlines that many Tasmanians living in low-income households have to ration their food, buy poorer quality foods or go without in order to cope with cost of living pressures. People may have problems accessing food because of limited shopping and transport options depending on where they live. Lack of food skills and poor social support can also be a contributory factor.
Food is a basic human need. Food security means that people have access to food that is healthy, safe and affordable without having to frequently rely on emergency food relief. The need to improve Tasmanians’ food security was highlighted in A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania andTasmania’s Cost of Living, and it is a key focus area of the Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy.
Food for all Tasmanians outlines a range of strategies to connect individuals, families, and communities most in need within Tasmania to local networks of support and increase local food access and supply.
For further background to help with your application to the Food for all Tasmanians Grants Program, please read Food for All Tasmanians – a food security strategyat
Aims
The Food for all Tasmanians Grants Programaims to improve food access and affordability and community driven food solutions for people living on low incomes, families with children, older people and/or isolated places.
Food access and affordability can be improved by connecting people to local, low-cost and nutritious food. This can be achieved by emergency food relief providers, community food programs, food distributors and food producers working together.
While emergency food reliefis a vital safety net for communities and families experiencing hardship, it cannot be relied upon to address the root causes of food security. The aim of this Program is to develop or enhance existing communitydriven solutions to food security. This could include supporting and resourcing communities to develop skills and solutions forlocal food security issues.
There are many examples of successful community food solutions in developed countries. Some already seen in Tasmania are social eating programs for older people, community gardens and initiatives to redistribute surplus farm produce.
Funding available
A total of $1 million is available in 2012 through the Food for all Tasmanians Grants Program, with amaximum funding limit of $200000 for any given project.
The 2010 Tasmanian Food Security Fund’s experience shows that a mix of initiatives can produce enormous innovation. Larger coalitions with sufficient funds can have significant impact and reach. However, small projects can also offer significant innovation and local outcomes.
AnAssessment Panel will consider geographic distribution of initiatives between regions, value for money and the greatest immediate and practical outcomes for communities when recommending the best mix of initiatives to be funded under the program.
Assessment criteria
Initiatives must relate to key priorities identified in Food for all Tasmanians. The Assessment Panel will review applications for funding against the following assessment criteria:
- Does the initiativefocus on at least one of the groupsidentified in Food for All Tasmanians as being a priority for action? These groups are:
- people living on low incomes, especially households dependent on government benefits and allowances
- children, especially children of low-income, single-parent families
- older people, especially those who are isolated or living alone
- isolated or poorly serviced places where healthy food is difficult to get, expensive or unavailable
- Does the initiative increase food access and affordability and/or build community food solutions as outlined in Food for All Tasmanians?
- Does the organisation have the capacityto manage the initiative?
- Is there an incorporated organisation to hold the funds?
- Does the applicant explain how itwill work in partnership with other groups or organisations to complete the initiative and achieve the proposed results?
- How will the applicant measure the success of their initiative? (That is, how will it be evaluated?)
- Will aspects of the initiative have ongoing benefits to the community (past the funding period)?
- Does the initiative represent value for money and provide a detailed budget?
Funding conditions and eligibility
Community organisations, schools, local government and businesses are eligible to apply. Applicants must be based in Tasmania and not have outstanding loan or grant obligations from previous financial assistance from the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Community organisations must be incorporated or sponsored by an incorporated organisation.
To receive the funding, applicants must abide by the following conditions, which will be explained in a grant deed agreement:
- Initiatives must be covered by public liability insurance.
- Capital equipment (such as storage, freezers, cooking and transport equipment) will be funded if it is an integral part of theinitiative.
- Competitions, commercial or fund raising activities will not be funded.
- Funding is not available for retrospective projects or events that have already started.
- Funding is not available for staff wages unless it relates specifically tothe proposed project/service.
- Funding must be spent on the project as described in the application (any changes will need to be provided to the Department of Premier and Cabinet for approval).
- Funding is not available for research.
Personal information
Personal information will be managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. Applicantscan access any information the Department of Premier and Cabinet holds about them on request.
Right to information
Information provided in applications, and details of any further financial assistance, may be available publicly under the Right to Information Act 2009. Information on this Act is available by contacting the Office of Parliamentary Counsel by telephone on 6233 2223 or via the Tasmanian Legislation website at
Application process
The Food for All Tasmanians Grants Program openson 10 July 2012 and closes 5pm on 10 September 2012.
Applicants must complete the application form available from It is preferred that applications are typed and submitted electronically to Please call 6222 7222if you require a hardcopy application form to be mailed to you.
Faxed applications will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Organisations will be contacted to acknowledge the receipt of their application.
What happens after you apply?
The Assessment Panelwill assess applications against the assessment criteria and provide recommendations on which initiatives should be funded. The Panel’s recommendations will be approved by the Premier or her delegate.
It is anticipated that funding for successful applications will be provided in October 2012. Successful applicants will receive a grant deed that outlines the conditions of the grant and whether the grant funding will be provided in full or in part.
All funding from the Tasmanian Government must be acknowledged in any presentations or promotional material you develop about your initiative. The guidelines for acknowledging funding from the Tasmanian Government will also be included with the grant deed.
Once the deed is signed and the Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, receives an invoice, the funds will be paid, subject to any special conditions being met.
Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on their application by sending an email titled ‘request for feedback’ or by calling 6222 7222.
Reporting and evaluation
Successful applicants have up to two years to complete and evaluate their initiative. The grant deed will outline all reporting and acquittal requirements.
Need help applying?
Help is available. A Community Nutrition Unit (Department of Health and Human Services) team member will be available to provide assistance to organisations interested in applying. Please contact: or call 62227222 to request help.
Briefing sessions will be held in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart for anyone interested in applying to the grants program. Details about these sessions are available at or by contacting the Community Nutrition Unit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Food for All Tasmanians Grants Program are also available at