We need to talk about how vulnerable our food system really is...

One thing that shocks me year on year is how little many people REALLY know about where our food and fibre comes from.

That is not a criticism... rather an observation through extended conversations with people from many walks of life. The truth is, if you've never spent proper time on a working farm, how would you know what it takes to grow food?

For many people, the closest mainstream portrayal has probably been Clarkson’s Farm. It is funny and chaotic, but it also shows something farmers already know: growing food is hard, unpredictable and often financially brutal.

Yet we still walk into supermarkets expecting out-of-season fruit and veggies to be there whenever we want them. It creates the illusion that food is simple, constant and always available.

It is not.

In the Northern Rivers, we live in one of the most abundant food regions in the country, yet we are still heavily reliant on food being trucked in. I've heard the figure of around 90 per cent used in conversations about how much of what we eat comes from outside the region. Our region depends heavily on road freight and external supply chains.

That makes us incredibly vulnerable.

Food security isn't just about whether Australia grows enough food. It is about whether food can get to people when they need it. It is about whether local producers can get their food processed, transported, sold and eaten locally.

And right now, parts of that picture are not pretty.

Abattoir access is one example. Small livestock producers are losing access, making the paddock-to-plate models we have all been on about impossible. That affects farmers, animal welfare, consumer choice and regional resilience.

We're hearing similar pressure points across the system: freight, packaging, labour, storage, distribution, buyer relationships and viable routes to market.

But there is good news.

People do care. More consumers want food that is local, traceable, nutrient-dense and grown in healthier soil. Many are willing to pay more for food that aligns with their values. The opportunity is there, but we need to close the gap between good intentions and practical action.

And to be honest, it's why I started Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.

We have farmers in this region regenerating soil, restoring land, growing food with care and thinking deeply about biodiversity, animal health, nutrient density and community wellbeing. We have makers looking for local ingredients, first-generation farmers trying to find their feet, consumers wanting to understand more, and wild ideas everywhere.

But it will not happen by accident.

We need to educate consumers about why local, seasonal food matters and how food can genuinely be medicine when grown in healthy soil. We need to connect farmers with makers, supply chain partners, mentors and buyers. We need to support first-generation farmers with access to training, land, networks and practical advice. And we need to advocate for our farms, our land and the right to grow.

In just a few months, we have started doing that. We have mentored young farmers, connected supply chain gaps, held our first member fireside chat at Pigface Farm, planned future events and opened up practical conversations about what this region needs next.

This week, we take the next step with our first workshop series, Beyond the Farm Gate.

The series has come directly from what we are hearing. People have ideas, but they need help working out what comes next — whether that is value-adding, using waste streams, creating a product, building a collaboration, finding local ingredients, exploring food as medicine or improving routes to market.

Across the series, we will ask the practical questions behind those ideas: who is it for, who would buy it, who could help bring it to life, what relationships are needed, what supply chain gaps need to be solved, what will it cost, and can it actually work?

Our speakers bring decades of lived experience across farming, organic growing, value-adding, hospitality, wholesale, supply chains, agribusiness, advisory, food production and regional food systems. Some are old friends and some are new connections, but all bring real passion and practical knowledge.

We are listening. We are here. We are not pretending the system is fine, but we are also not waiting for someone else to fix it.

Beyond the Farm Gate starts this Thursday, June 25.

It is free for Vitality Farms members, or just $35 for the full five-part series. Sessions will be recorded, so even if you cannot make it live, book in and catch up when you can.

If you are a grower, producer, maker, landholder, food business or someone who cares about the future of local food in this region, I would love you to join us.

Because this is not just about one workshop series. It is about understanding where our food comes from, seeing the risks clearly, and doing something practical to build a stronger, healthier and more connected local food system.

BOOK HERE.

Hope to see you online!

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