Tasmania Votes 2025: Where the Parties Stand on Food Security

Tasmania Votes 2025: Where the Parties Stand on Food Security

Loaves and Fishes Tasmania is proud to work alongside partners across the state to ensure every Tasmanian has access to healthy, local food.

As we head into the 2025 state election, we’re calling on all political parties to back what works—long-term, joined-up solutions to food insecurity.

What the Parties Have Promised

Direct Support for Loaves and Fishes Tasmania:

• $1 million per year for four years – for statewide food relief
• $200,000 per year for two years for the Loaves and Fishes Tasmania Social Wholesaler operations
• $250,000 capital grant in 2025–26 to establish Social Wholesaler infrastructure

Broader Sector Support

(in partnership with Food Secure Tasmania – the Coalition)

• Release the Food Resilience Strategy within the first 100 days of government
• Deliver a detailed Action Plan by the end of 2025
• Maintain $7+ million in funding over four years, as outlined in the 2025–26 Budget
• Support integrated, sustainable food relief in partnership with frontline organisations

We (Tasmanian Liberals) will work closely with the Food Security Coalition and food relief providers to implement meaningful actions—supported by funding—that strengthen and sustain an integrated food security sector, now and into the future.

This includes a coordinated approach to ensuring all Tasmanian schools have access to a breakfast program. Where schools already partner with organisations like Loaves and Fishes Tasmania or other local providers, they will be supported to continue doing so.

If elected, a Dean Winter Labor Government has pledged this support for Loaves and Fishes Tasmania:

• $1 million per year for five years – for statewide food relief
• $500,000 in capital funding to complete the Devonport kitchen and production facility for food relief and school lunch production

Broader Sector Support

(in partnership with Food Secure Tasmania – the Coalition)

• Immediate release and implementation of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy, co-developed with the Food Secure Tas Coalition and organisations such as Loaves and Fishes Tasmania

The Tasmanian Greens agree that food security is an extremely important issue for Tasmanian’s. In this cost-of-living crisis, many Tasmanian’s are skipping meals or going hungry, and the work of local food relief agencies is in high demand.

• We (The Greens) value the critical role that Loaves and Fishes plays in delivering emergency food relief and we echo your calls for a focus on food security and resilience to be a priority for the next Government.
• We support the immediate release of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy and will work to ensure there is ongoing funding for organisations like Loaves and Fishes to continue and expand your important work, including implementing actions that arise from the updated Strategy.

“This support gives us confidence to keep doing what’s working, while working closely with whoever forms the next government to ensure continued improvement in this space—getting good local food to those who need it most, while building jobs, dignity, and resilience across our communities.”
— Andrew Hillier, CEO, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania

What We’re Asking From All Parties

• Secure, ongoing funding for food relief and food resilience programs
• Investment in kitchens, hubs, storage, and local food infrastructure
• Support for Tasmanian producers, schools, and workers
• Delivery of the Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy
• Back social enterprises and training programs that empower communities

Why It Matters: The Impact on All Tasmanians

1 in 5 Tasmanians now face food insecurity.

That means:

• Kids going to school without breakfast
• Parents skipping meals to pay bills
• Older Tasmanians missing out on fresh food
• Families relying on emergency food just to get by

And the ripple effect is huge—it puts pressure on:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Mental health services
• Community organisations

Food insecurity affects health, education, employment, and social connection—especially in rural and regional communities.

What We Do Each Week – Food, Community and Jobs

• Deliver meals to over 16,000 Tasmanian’s in need, through over 270 community organisations and food programs across Tasmania
• Provide accredited training and job pathways for people facing hardship
• Source produce from local farms—cutting food waste and boosting local economies
• Prepare and deliver more than 13,000 nutritious school meals that support learning and well-being
• Distribute over 15,ooo Kg’s of fresh produce and 5000 ready to eat meals every week

and, It’s About More Than Just Food

Food security isn’t just about handing out meals. It’s about building a Tasmania where people:

• Live with dignity
• Contribute meaningfully
• Have access to the essentials of life

With the right partnerships, investment, and planning, we can shift from emergency relief to long-term food resilience—and make it the foundation for a healthier, fairer Tasmania.

Stay Informed – Get Involved

We’ll keep this page updated as new commitments are made.

You can help:

• Follow us on social media: @LoavesAndFishesTas
• Share this page with your friends and family
• Ask your local candidates where they stand on food security