Community trust in food systems
Community trust in food systems
Author: Courtney Bailey (Voconiq) | Date: 04 Feb 2025
Take home messages
- When trust is strong, communities are more understanding during challenges, offering support and fostering resilience.
- In a 2024 survey, 2 876 Australians rated their trust in the grains industry a mean of 3.32 out of 5 (figure 1).
- Trust in food industries hinges on transparency, sustainability, and fairness in how benefits are distributed among stakeholders.
Community trust in food systems is foundational to the sustainability and resilience of agricultural industries. This paper, and subsequent presentation, summarises the findings of the 2024 GRDC Community Trust in Grains Report, with the presentation also drawing comparison against the Community Trust in Rural Industries program led by AgriFutures, focusing on actionable insights for grain producers. By understanding the drivers of trust and addressing public concerns, grain producers can enhance their industry’s reputation, ensuring long-term sustainability and community support.
Why is trust important
Trust is the cornerstone of the relationship between an industry and the communities it serves. It involves communities accepting vulnerability and relying on the industry’s fair treatment and integrity. When trust is strong, communities are more understanding during challenges, offering support and fostering resilience. Conversely, low trust amplifies scrutiny and resistance, potentially jeopardising operations and growth. For the grains industry, trust is a valuable asset that enables innovation, strengthens collaboration, and ensures acceptance of the industry and its practices.
Methodology
As part of this three-year program of work, 2 876 Australians were surveyed in 2024. The survey was 10–15 minutes in length and designed to capture diverse community perspectives on the grains industry in Australia. Quantitative data were collected through nationally representative surveys, ensuring robust insights into public attitudes, levels of trust, and key perception drivers.
Drivers of trust in the Australian grains industry
Voconiq identified the key drivers of trust in the Australian grains industry. These drivers provide a guideline on how to best improve the relationship between industry and the Australian community.
- Procedural fairness – does the industry listen to and respond to community concerns?
- Environmental management – is there a focus on sustainable practices that minimise environmental impacts and protect natural resources?
- Community distributional fairness – is there an equitable sharing of benefits and resources between the industry and its communities?
- Technological innovation – to what extent does the public see the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and industry resilience?
- Regulation – does the community believe that the industry is being held to account?
- Industry knowledge – does the public understand the grains sector’s contributions, practices, and challenges?
Figure 1. Participants were asked if they trusted the grains industry to act responsibly in 2024, they rated trust about the midpoint at 3.32.
Trust trends
- High trust levels: a substantial majority of Australians hold the grains industry in high regard, with 84% acknowledging its role in generating local jobs in regional areas.
- Innovation recognition: 65% of respondents perceive the industry as committed to adopting new technologies and innovative approaches to grain production.
- Responsible pesticide use: 65% of Australians trust grain growers to use pesticides responsibly, reflecting confidence in the industry's environmental stewardship.
- Procedural fairness as a trust driver: the industry's ability to listen to and address community concerns, known as procedural fairness, emerged as the strongest driver of public confidence and trust.
- Environmental stewardship expectations: Australians expect the grains industry to demonstrate strong environmental responsibility, holding the sector accountable for its operational impacts.
- Impact of innovation on trust: technological advancements are seen positively, with the public wanting the industry to leverage innovation to address environmental and operational challenges, while improving productivity.
What does this work mean for our industry
The Australian grains industry reflects many of the broader dynamics and challenges faced by the wider food industry. Like the grains sector, trust in the food industry hinges on transparency, sustainability, and fairness in how benefits are distributed among stakeholders. However, the grains industry’s strong connection to regional communities and its leadership in technological innovation position it as a benchmark for the broader food sector. By addressing shared challenges, such as environmental stewardship and consumer engagement, the grains industry not only strengthens community acceptance, but also sets an example for the entire Australian food industry in building a trusted and sustainable future.
Acknowledgements
The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by support of the GRDC, the author would like to thank them for their continued support.
Contact details
Courtney Bailey
Voconiq
Bowen Hills QLD 4006
0435 227 991
GRDC Project Code: VCQ2311-001SAX,