The ability to store food safely and hygienically will reduce household costs because less food is wasted; more money is available for groceries, which improves the household’s diet and nutrition. To store food, residents need storage that is cool, dry, well ventilated and protected and sealed from dogs, rodents, insects and other pests.

Cupboards need to be built out of materials that are resistant to water, rust, rot and insect infestation. Some residents also need a lockable food pantry. Data from houses surveyed show that only 61% of houses had adequate cupboards and 5% had no storage cupboards.

The number of houses with adequate storage at or above bench height, which is out of reach of young children, animals, insect and vermin, significantly improved, with 61% of houses having adequate storage (up 17%) since 2013.

A properly functioning refrigerator is also an essential item of health hardware for storage because it allows people to store meats and fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and eggs, which are important for good nutrition. A poorly functioning refrigerator can spoil food, consume high amounts of energy use and reduce the household budget. Studies have shown that refrigerators of identical size can cost anywhere from 60 cents to $2 a day to run, depending on efficiency and the condition of door seals and ventilation¹.

The refrigerator and food storage cupboards need to be accessible for all members of the household, including people with disabilities.

Survey data show that combined refrigerator/freezers were available to 79% of over 6,000 households (a increase of 11% since 2013), 9% of houses had either a fridge or freezer but not both and 12% of houses had no type of refrigerator or freezer to preserve food.

Although fridge and freezer temperatures have improved since 2013, only 63% (up 11%) of the fridge compartments were able to store food at an acceptable temperature, and 80% of the freezer compartments were at an acceptable temperature (up 10%). Whilst the accuracy of the temperature data can be questioned if either the fridge or freezer has been opened excessively just prior to the survey, the lack of appliances is clear. The good performance of door seals (87% OK) and no pressing need for defrosting (84% OK) in the majority of units would confirm the appliances are well managed.

• Inadequate high level storage
• Inadequate high level storage
• Inadequate high level storage
• Inadequate low level food storage unprotected from vermin

Ensure

• B4.2 .1.

  cupboard materials are resistant to water penetration, mould, rot and insect infestation, consider sealed plywood, recycled plastic, and other resistant materials

• B4.2 .2.

  under-bench cupboards have doors and latches to prevent access by children and animals

• B4.2 .3.

  There are adequate cupboards or shelves built at or above bench height for storage of food or utensils out of the reach of children and animals, and that under-bench storage with doors is accessible for people with disabilities (NOTE: defining ‘adequate cupboards or shelves’ and the exact quantity of storage is difficult as this will vary with house size and population. For a one or two bedroom flat 2.5 square metres is considered sufficient, for a three bedroom house 4 square metres and for a house with 4 or more bedrooms 5 square metres is considered adequate. The area may be distributed around the kitchen area and include the benchtop, top of fridges, overhead cupboards, open shelves, pantry shelves 900mm & above

• B4.2 .4.

  there is a space within the kitchen for a refrigerator that is at least 800mm wide, is well ventilated, and protected from heat sources such as direct sun through a window, an uninsulated western wall, or the heat of a stove or oven

• B4.2 .5.

  there is a power point in the refrigerator space that is on a dedicated power circuit, fitted with an RCD (a safety switch or residual current device), and accessible when the refrigerator is in place

• B4.2 .6.

  the entire kitchen area is well ventilated and well lit, to prevent the build up of mould and to deter cockroaches and vermin

• B4.2 .7.

  cupboard handles enable ease of use – they engage several fingers rather than thumb and forefinger to assist the elderly, and are located towards the top of under-bench cupboards and towards the bottom of overhead cupboards for easy access.

• B4.2 .8.

  adequate food storage is accessible by people using wheelchairs, avoiding for example storage less than 600mm from an internal corner

Consider

For cupboards, consider:

• using screened vents or panels of mesh in doors to ventilate cupboards and pantries and to keep insects and vermin out
• building all cupboards and drawers a minimum of 300mm off the floor to deter vermin and make it easier to clean the floor
• in tropical areas, using mesh shelves to improve ventilation, prevent mould, and stop cockroaches
• fitting a high level, secure cupboard for dangerous items such as cleaning products and medicines, and having a secure cupboard that is accessible for people with disabilities
• providing animal and vermin proof food storage areas in bedrooms in multi-family households.

For refrigerators, consider:

• providing adequate space for large, energy-efficient refrigerators in all houses
• liaising with the local store to ensure they stock energy-efficient refrigerators
• providing additional space and power points in the kitchen or laundry area for an additional freezer
• providing additional screened vents in the floor, walls and ceiling around the refrigerator space to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the appliance
• providing a lockable, ventilated, walk-in pantry with extra space for a refrigerator or freezer, in households where food security is an issue for residents.
• providing additional screened vents in the floor, walls and ceiling around the refrigerator space to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the appliance - floor vents should be able to control the flow of air in summer and winter.

Consider making provision for universal access including:

• providing a clear circulation space of at least 1550mm in the kitchen
• having lower or adjustable benches
• providing removable or mobile under-bench cupboards
• providing refrigerators with the freezer located under the fridge compartment to provide better access.

Real world examples of Solutions

• Dedicated power circuit for fridge and freezer will give greater food security if other power circuits fail
• Water and insect resistant materials
• High level shelving made of metal mesh increases airflow and reduces insect breeding places
• Kitchen design use high quality materials and is set off the floor to reduce vermin and insect access
• Sealed shelving units
• Cupboards have doors and handles that engage several fingers
• Sealed storage cupboards
• Fridge & freezer temperatures need regular checking
• D type handles
• Pantry unit

• the materials used for making kitchen cupboards and shelves are as specified
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• all kitchen cupboards and shelves are securely fixed to the walls, particularly cupboards that are above the floor
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION
  TRADE TEST

• kitchen food storage cupboards are screened and ventilated and built according to the drawings
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• kitchen floor and wall junctions are sealed to prevent access by vermin and insects
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• there is a working lock on the kitchen pantry door
  

  When: AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• in the kitchen there is a well ventilated space at least 800mm wide, with a well located power point, for the fridge.
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN
  COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER

As part of cyclical maintenance, check that:

• the cupboard door handles, locks and hinges are able to be open, closed and secured
  

  Who : Carpenter, Local Maintenance Team

  When : 12 Months

• the shelves, cupboards and screened pantry or food storage areas are in good condition
  

  Who : Carpenter, Local Maintenance Team

  When : 12 Months

• the kitchen is free of insects and vermin, and consider a regular pest management program.
  

  Who : Pest Controller, Housing Management

  When : 12 Months

• the freezer temperature is minus 10°C or colder
  

  Who : Local Maintenance Team, Fridge Specialist

  When : 6 Months

• the fridge temperature is 4°C or colder.
  

  Who : Local Maintenance Team, Fridge Specialist

  When : 12 Months

• if freezer and fridge temperatures are not cold enough, check door seals, location of the refrigerator or freezer in the house and the air circulation around the refrigerator and freezer.
  

  Who : Local Maintenance Team, Fridge Specialist

  When : 12 Months

• fridge temperatures are maintained and running costs reduced, by organising an annual fridge maintenance program to improve the ability to store nutritious food.
  

  Who : Local Maintenance Team, Fridge Specialist, Housing Management

  When : 12 Months

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Amd 3:2023 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)

Food Standards Australia & New Zealand - Storing food safely (2023) - https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodsafety/standards/Pages/Storing-food-safely.aspx

Australian Government - energyrating.gov.au: https://www.energyrating.gov.au/consumer-information/products/fridges-and-freezers

Pholeros, P 1997, Energy and Water Use Required for Health in Housing on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands North West of South Australia, for UPK Nganampa Health Council Inc., Alice Springs, p. 8

South Australian Department of Human Services 2001, Eat Well SA Forum Report, Food Supply in Rural South Australia—A Survey on Food Cost, Quality and Variety.

Tietz, C 2000, ‘Kitchen Design, Installation and Maintenance’ in G Harris (ed.), Environmental Health Handbook: A Practical Guide for Remote Communities, Menzies School of Health Research, Casuarina, pp. 15572.

Australian Greenhouse Office, Energy rating information https://www.energyrating.gov.au