Our food system is making us sick and destroying the planet.

The typical Australian diet is heavy in animal products, and only 7.5% of adults and 6.3% of kids eat the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables, leading to increases in disease. The methane produced by farmed animals is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, significantly contributing to climate breakdown. On top of this, vast tracts of our beautiful forests have been cleared for grazing and growing feed for farmed animals, leading to further greenhouse gas emissions and the extinction of native animals. Australia needs a more sustainable, beneficial and affordable food system.

Key Features

• The AJP will advocate for the allocation of $50 million per year to fund programs that encourage Australians to eat more Australian-grown fruits and vegetables. Even a 10% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption would save Australia $100 million per year in healthcare costs.
• Allocate $180 million per year, in tax breaks and subsidies, to promoting innovation in farming and processing technology so that Australians have more access to food that is healthy, delicious and affordable. This will also support regional economies and help ensure Australia’s food security.
• Requiring processed meats to be labelled as the Class 1 carcinogens that they are. People should be informed of the risks involved in serving and consuming these products.
• Creating a $100 million per year Future Food Fund that will back innovation in the alternative proteins sector, as this has the potential to produce many of the food items familiar to Australians at a fraction of their current cost, with negligible environmental impact and with no cruelty to animals.

What impact will this have:

• Increasing average vegetable consumption by just half a cup per day would improve the health of Australians, reduce healthcare costs and generate an additional $600 million per year for regional economies.
• Support Australian farmers - 34% of fruit and vegetable growers are thinking of leaving the industry in the next year.
• Reduce the costs of fruits and vegetables to help reduce the cost of living.