Gather + Grow: a systems approach to addressing food insecurity in Far North Queensland

Food security is a Human Right, but not everyone in Australia has the same opportunity to live a healthy life, free from hunger. The impacts of food insecurity are pervasive, influencing education, wellbeing, economic opportunities, nutrition and overall health. Its drivers are equally as diverse, many of which are beyond the remit of the health sector. As such, collective, cross-sector action is critical. Through the example of Gather + Grow (Queensland's strategic response to food insecurity in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities), this review paper aimed to describe the success factors, learnings and strategic framework that has built momentum around food security action in Queensland. Specifically, a three-phase action planning cycle, priority areas for action, system enablers, governance and guiding principles for implementation are outlined and discussed. Together, they demonstrate how a systems response to a complex public health challenge, like food insecurity, is possible and invite other states and territories to leverage the learnings and activities of Gather + Grow.