Food Industry Crisis Plan

The Retail Industry Working Group of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has been working for the last three years to prepare an industry plan for crisis management. The Group includes major retailers, manufacturers and governments, and has a broad view of the potential impacts a natural disaster or crisis will have on the food industry.

“The Australian food distribution plan is unprecedented in the world and represents a concerted effort by Australia’s retailers and manufacturers to ensure the maintenance of essential foods and household items,” according to Kate Carnell, Chief Executive of the AFGC.

The industry plan includes:

• The implementation of operational plans on how to safely keep supermarkets open and how to continue to ensure customer and staff safety;

• A food distribution plan to coordinate, with the food and grocery industry, in case of any future shortage in supply to ensure a “fair and orderly distribution” of essential food and grocery items across Australia.

The Group has worked out what essential products would be needed, and how long they would be needed, as well as where they can be sourced from in the quickest timeframe. A specific software package has been developed as part of this process, to assist the AFGC and the industry in the event of a disaster or crisis.

AFGC has committed to continuing to massage the plans to ensure they provide the best available response to, and management of a crisis / disaster. The planning and responses will always be done in conjunction with the relevant government agencies.

For more information go to www.afgc.org.au