Food Supply Crisis Highlights National Need for Stronger, Climate-Resilient Food Systems

The logistical food crisis that unfolded in Far North Queensland at the beginning of February is a stark warning for Australia: our over-reliance on long supply chains is leaving communities vulnerable to climate shocks and natural disasters. As towns were inundated with monsoonal rains and supply routes cut off, the region’s supermarket fresh produce shelves were left bare. Fresh fruit and vegetable supplies began running low on February 2, as flooding severely impacted both the Bruce Highway and the inland route, disrupting regular deliveries. It took 14 days for regular deliveries to resume, while Far North Queensland residents were left waiting.

Despite being one of the most productive food-growing areas in the country, much of Far North Queensland’s produce is transported thousands of kilometres south for processing before being sent back for sale in local supermarkets. This inefficient system exposes a fundamental weakness in how food is distributed across Australia. With climate-driven disasters becoming more frequent and severe, our food system must be designed to withstand these disruptions. Stronger, local supply chains are a key solution to ensuring food security in a changing climate.

Angela Nason exemplifies the power of a strong local food network. For the past five years, she has run Tablelands to Tabletop, a business dedicated to supplying the community with fresh, locally grown food directly from nearby farmers. “There is no shortage of food on the Tablelands, we produce millions of tonnes of fresh produce each year, yet most of it is sent south to distribution centres before being transported back up for sale. The food is here, but the logistics controlled by major food companies desperately need an overhaul.”

“There is no shortage of food on the Tablelands, we produce millions of tonnes of fresh produce each year, yet most of it is sent south to distribution centres before being transported back up for sale. The food is here, but the logistics controlled by major food companies desperately need an overhaul.”

Angela Nason

As supermarket shelves emptied, more and more people turned to Angela for help. To meet the overwhelming demand, she had to hire eight additional staff. With limited space in the current shop, Tablelands to Tabletop had to close online orders early. When the store opened a week into the crisis, at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 10, it was stripped bare within just four hours—over three tonnes of fresh produce sold out in record time, far exceeding expectations.

“At Sustainable Table, we believe this crisis is a wake-up call for Australia,” says Sustainable Table CEO, Jade Miles. “Our food system is too dependent on long supply chains controlled by a handful of major players. When these systems fail, communities are left without fresh food. The answer isn’t bigger supermarkets or more trucks on the road—it’s supporting local farmers, investing in regional food hubs, and prioritising short supply chains that build resilience at the local level.”

"This crisis underscores why businesses like Tablelands to Tabletop are so crucial," says Miles. "By supporting local businesses year-round, you help maintain strong and reliable local supply chains. This ensures that when disasters strike, you and your family still have access to food."

A National Call to Action

As climate-related disruptions become more frequent, investing in strong, local food systems must become a national priority. Sustainable Table is calling on policymakers, businesses, and communities across Australia to support and scale local food initiatives that build resilience in the face of future crises.

Want to support local food and farming? Visit our map or donate today.