Artwork by Laura Wills

Engagement outcomes and next steps

The community engagement undertaken between 29 July and 18 August received a high level of participation. Community engagement was complemented by engagement with the community services sector and local businesses. You can read highlights of the outcomes of community engagement below or you can read the full Community Engagement Feedback Report for all the details.

The information gathered during the engagement will help inform a scoping report to be presented to the Department for Human Services in December 2025, followed by a report to Council in January 2026. Council will consider and respond to funding opportunities as they arise.

Respondent demographics

• 74 per cent of respondents reported living in one of the target suburbs in or near Seaford.
• 37 per cent reported they would be shopping as a single or dual parent family with dependent children, 29 per cent said they were a couple with no children living at home.
• 48 per cent reported having at least one adult in full time employment and 34 per cent reported being retired.

Food and products

Besides fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy, respondents frequently listed pasta, rice, noodles, bread and canned goods as products they would like stocked at a community food hub.

Other than food, respondents ranked toiletries (e.g. soap and deodorant), toilet paper and tissues and female sanitary items as products they think are most important to be stocked.

Services and programs

Health services, financial support and counselling and housing and homelessness support were most frequently identified as services respondents would like to see offered at the same site as a community food hub.

Cooking and nutrition programs and budgeting and financial skill development were most commonly suggested as programs people would like run at a community food hub.

Operations

When asked to rank the top three things respondents think are most important for a community food hub to consider, availability of affordable food was the identified as the highest priority, followed by access for all and the provision of healthy food choices.

You can read the full details of the engagement in the Community Engagement Feedback Report.

Background

We understand that increases to the cost of living is making it hard for many in our community to make ends meet.

As one way to support our community, with funding from the Department for Human Services we are investigating the possibility of establishing a community food hub in the Seaford region.

A community food hub offers:

• low-cost groceries and essentials in a store-like setting
• opportunities to connect with others in the community
• skill-building activities and support programs tailored to local needs.

Everyone is welcome - no assessments or eligibility checks are required.

We engaged with the local community on their thoughts on a potential community food hub in the Seaford area between 29 July and 17 August.