ABOUT US

'Research shows that people on the lowest incomes cannot afford to choose to eat a variety of food easily and many are more likely to be overweight or even obese. Reports over the last 10 years  are showing that increasing numbers of Australians are experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is much more common than we think, or would like, and it has much broader consequences than just diet – it impacts on people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing' (VicHealth, 2010)


 WHAT WE DO

"Student health and well being network"

• FoodCents was established in 2009 to provide students living and studying in the City of Melbourne with a high quality of healthily promotion in regards to food insecurity.
• FoodCents incorporates a wide range of service professions including nutrition, health promotion, social support officer aiming to provide students with knowledge and skills to empower them to consume a wider range of healthy, inexpensive food products.
• FoodCents aims to provide this empowerment through working with local businesses and universities to provide students with more access to healthy foods that are available.
• Further, FoodCents provides a communal area where students can meet and learn about food insecurity and ways to overcome this. Students also have access to a blog where they can discuss what they have learnt and provide other students with information regarding cheap eats and meal ideas and issues they concern.

Goal:
To increase the capacity of tertiary student living and studying in the City of Melbourne in relation to food security.
Mission Statement:
To provide equitable access to healthy lifestyles for students who live and study in the city of Melbourne. This project is aimed at improving health and wellbeing through skill development around nutrition and physical exercise, as well building strong networks within the community.