The program will draw together a number of initiatives designed to advance agricultural sustainability and help build leadership capacity in the sector.

"As the debate around long term food availability and affordability intensifies, it is vital for all organisations involved in the food supply chain to adopt a leadership

position and help safeguard Australia's future food security," Woolworths Limited chief executive officer Michael Luscombe said.

"Higher input costs, a rising population and climate change all have the potential to impact the food we eat, which is why industry must assist our farmers to adapt and thrive.

"Our previous support for the farming community has largely focused on the provision of emergency assistance grants for farming families and recovery grants for rural community infrastructure. It is now time to look to the future and ensure that our farmers are better equipped to be able to manage Australia's long term food production needs."

The Fresh Food Farming program will focus on two key areas - sustainable farming and creating future leaders.

"The Fresh Food Farming Program will help us to better support the projects we already have operating and develop new initiatives across the two core areas of focus," Mr Luscombe said.

"Woolworths hopes to consult with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as well as organisations such as the National Farmers Federation, the Country Women's Association and relevant farming and agricultural bodies in order to identify optimum ways to channel our investment."