Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last year, 1.2 million children and one in six adults went hungry. In the past 12 months, two million households experienced severe food insecurity. Severe food insecurity is where people skip meals or don't eat for a whole day. These figures are not from a Third World country. They are Australian figures, which I found hard to believe.

But today I want to highlight the work of a young man from my electorate of Longman who has decided to be part of the solution in a unique way. Nick Steiner's initiative, the Mini Farm Project, was born out of a vision Nick has to involve local residents in growing fresh produce that is in turn sold at affordable prices to members of the public, as well as a component of the produce grown being given away to charitable organisations who supply groceries to those most in need in our community. With this produce being supplied at no charge, this means that the organisations have funds that would normally be spent on buying produce freed up to purchase more grocery items, and therefore they can reach a greater number of people in our community.

The way Nick is able to achieve this is a multipronged approach. First, he will work with generous, community minded farmers who donate a part of their land exclusively for Nick to use. One such farm is Luvaberry, owned by Mandy and Adrian Schultz, who have donated two acres of their farm, located in Wamuran in my electorate of Longman, for Nick to use. They are the latest farm to join the Mini Farm Project family, along with farmers at Samford, Loganlea and Coolum.

Nick has one paid employee, the farm manager. This farm manager is supported by volunteers from the local community who work under the instruction of the farm manager. Nick then also involves local businesses by appealing to their sense of community and asking them to sponsor a bed on the farm. In return, the business will receive acknowledgement with a plaque on the farm and media exposure for the business. This, along with the public purchasing produce and making donations, helps cover the organisation's costs. Nick relies on no government funding, and part of his vision is to keep governments out of this and inspire community generosity to fund this wonderful initiative, and for this I congratulate him.

So how can you help? I'm glad you asked, Deputy Speaker. By donating $20, you will buy a box of fresh produce that will go to a household in need. For just $3.70 a month, you can join the Mini Farm community. Nick's dream is to have 100,000 people as part of the community. When we all do a bit, we accomplish great things. Buy the Mini Farm's own blend of coffee or buy produce for your own consumption. For more details, go to their website at mfp.org.au. Nick was recently recognised for his efforts by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and was awarded their prestigious Citizen of the Year Award. Congratulations, Nick. Nick has a vision to expand over the entire country, and with his determination and entrepreneurial gift I'm sure he will succeed. I wish him well in his endeavours.