Community Food Landscapes Standard

1. Purpose

The Community Food Landscapes Standard supports the National Community Landscape Framework by providing guidance for the responsible development of public landscapes that may contribute to food resilience, environmental stewardship, public health and community participation.

This Standard is not intended to prescribe a single landscape model. It provides a structured approach for assessing, designing and managing suitable public spaces according to local conditions, community priorities and long-term sustainability.

2. Scope

This Standard applies to suitable public spaces, community-managed land, school partnerships, council-supported landscapes and other approved locations where food-producing or edible landscape elements may be appropriate.

It may include vegetable gardens, herb gardens, orchards, food forests, native edible landscapes, community growing areas, educational gardens and mixed-use productive landscapes.

4. Guiding Principles

• Participation should remain voluntary.
• Existing parks, playgrounds and sporting spaces should not be displaced where they serve an important community purpose.
• Landscape selection should reflect local environmental suitability.
• Food production should be treated as one benefit, not the only purpose.
• Projects should be accessible, inclusive and community-supported.
• Long-term stewardship should be considered before establishment.
• Food safety, biosecurity and public safety must be addressed through local governance.
• Projects should be reviewed and improved over time.

6. Site Assessment Criteria

Before any Community Food Landscape is established, participating councils or responsible organisations should assess the proposed site against practical suitability criteria.

• Sunlight and shade conditions.
• Soil quality and contamination risk.
• Water availability.
• Existing use of the public space.
• Accessibility and safety.
• Nearby residents and community support.
• Maintenance requirements.
• Biosecurity and weed risk.
• Wildlife and biodiversity impacts.
• Long-term governance capacity.

7. Landscape Selection Framework

The selected landscape model should be determined by site suitability, community needs and long-term management capacity.

Where trees are appropriate, orchards or food forests may be considered. Where trees are not appropriate, vegetable gardens, herb gardens, native edible gardens, pollinator gardens or educational gardens may provide greater value.

Where food production is not appropriate, the site may still contribute to the broader National Community Landscape Framework through environmental restoration, biodiversity planting or community shade improvement.

9. Community Participation

Community Food Landscapes should be developed with meaningful local participation. This may include residents, schools, community organisations, environmental groups, food security organisations, businesses and volunteers.

Participation should support stewardship, education, practical skill development and stronger neighbourhood connection without transferring unreasonable responsibilities to volunteers.

10. Stewardship & Governance

Each Community Food Landscape should have a clear stewardship arrangement before establishment. Governance should identify responsible parties, maintenance expectations, reporting processes, safety procedures and review mechanisms.

Depending on scale, this may include a council officer, community coordinator, school partner, stewardship group or approved community organisation.

11. Food Safety & Public Responsibility

Community Food Landscapes must address food safety in a practical and proportionate manner.

• Clear signage should advise users to wash produce before consumption.
• Food intended for donation should follow locally approved handling procedures.
• Suspected contamination, vandalism or unsafe produce should be reported and managed promptly.
• Harvesting systems should reflect local capacity and risk considerations.