FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Un-junk started because communities are fed up with unhealthy food dominating the environments where we live, learn, travel and play. From fast food outlets appearing opposite schools, to unhealthy food advertising across public transport, sponsorship in sport and deep discounts on unhealthy food in supermarkets – junk food is everywhere. Un-junk exists to change that.

We're building a movement of supporters to call for stronger regulations that hold the junk food industry accountable. This includes action on fast food expansion near schools, unhealthy food advertising, sports sponsorship and supermarket pricing promotions to help create healthier food environments for people living in WA. By working together, we can shift the environments that shape what kids see, what families buy, and what becomes the norm in our neighbourhoods.

In Perth, 97 per cent of high schools have at least one fast food outlet within 1 km. This impacts what people eat and contributes to higher rates of diet-related disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. This is not okay, especially when fast food outlets are located near schools or in lower-income neighbourhoods.

Planning policies play a major role in shaping the neighbourhoods we live in. However, community health is not always considered when decisions are made about approving new fast food outlets. Many communities also feel they have no influence over these decisions, even when there is clear opposition. Un-junk is calling for stronger planning systems that give communities a fair say and ensure health is properly considered in decisions about fast food developments.

Children are often exposed to junk food advertising - on their way to school, online and in public spaces. These ads use colour, music and familiar characters to attract attention, and younger children often don't recognise that they are being influenced. Research shows that exposure to junk food marketing increases children's preferences, requests and consumption of these products.

Communities play a key role in driving change. By speaking up, sharing concerns and taking action, such as posting on the Un-junk ad map, we can build public support for stronger rules on junk food advertising.

We all need to buy groceries, which makes supermarkets an essential part of our daily lives. Store layouts, pricing strategies and promotions are often designed to encourage impulse purchases. This makes it harder for families to consistently choose healthier options, especially when many of these deals focus on unhealthy foods and drinks.

Supermarkets actively shape what we buy through pricing, placement and promotional strategies. Without accountability, these practices will continue to prioritise unhealthy food and make it harder for families to choose healthier options. So help us add to the evidence by sharing a photo of supermarket promotions in your local store (or online).

Sport is a huge part of Australian culture, which makes it a powerful platform for marketing. Junk food companies use sport sponsorships to promote their brands, on jerseys, stadiums and broadcasts. These messages can reach large audiences, including children, and this impacts their preferences, making it harder to create supportive, healthy environments.

Un-junk is calling for stronger regulation on junk food sponsorship to better protect community health and get the clowns, colonels and jacks off the sidelines, and out of sports stadiums. You can share your view on this issue by completing our online poll.