Food Systems Thinking
Food systems are complex systems and individual perspectives often dictate how they end up being envisioned and described.
Food System models range from relatively simple models that focus on one factor or desired outcome to a whole systems view that considers the many factors and impacts that a food system can have on other parts of the system, on people, and on communities. If it were linear, at one end of the human continuum would be farmers, or producers, and on the other end you would have your consumers. However we understand that there are many other factors and facets involved that contribute to the complexity of food systems.
The food system has been defined as…
“an interconnected web of activities, resources and people that extends across all domains involved in providing human nourishment and sustaining health, including production, processing, packaging, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal of food. The organization of food systems reflects and responds to social, cultural, political, economic, health and environmental conditions and can be identified at multiple scales, from a household kitchen to a city, county, state or nation.”
First, a Food System model might consider the basic food system elements…
From production to processing and distribution, these components contribute to the basal functioning of the system- how we get our food from the farm to our plates. In our model, many of these components have their own interest groups.
Next, consider those elements and how they might interact with other factors…
Such as the health of people and the environment, the economy, waste and resource recovery, poverty, and other environmental, social, and economic factors.
Consider what already exists…
Additionally, we might also consider the facets of the system that can be influenced by local or regional policies- part of our enabling environment or “what is so”, also referred to as our “Sphere of Influence”. These are the conditions that, in coalition and collaboration, we are trying to disrupt, evolve or innovate.
Now, we consider Core Values.
Based on a Whole Measures approach for Community Food Systems, incorporating a values-based, community-oriented tool for evaluation, planning, and dialogue geared toward organizational and community change.
A Food System that provides food for all • reveals, challenges, and dismantles injustice in the food system • creates just food system structures and cares for food system workers • ensures that public institutions and local businesses support a just community food system
A Food System that sustains and grows a healthy environment • promotes an ecological ethic • enhances biodiversity • promotes agricultural and food distribution practices that mitigate climate change
A Food System that provides healthy food for all • ensures the health and wellbeing of all people, inclusive of race and class • connects people and the food system, from field to fork • connects people and land to promote health and wellness
A Food System that creates local jobs and builds long-term economic vitality within the food system • builds local wealth • promotes sustainable development while strengthening local food systems • includes infrastructure that supports community and environmental health
A Food System that supports local, sustainable family farms to thrive and be economically viable • protects and cares for farmers and farm-workers • honors stories of food and farm legacy through community voices • respects farm animals
Using a systems approaches to consider the effects across a set of variables and calls for dynamic modeling with the expectation that changes will be non-linear and discontinuous to stimulate new ways of thinking and acting together.
These measures elevate and inform dialogue about the core values that truly matter while analyzing the impacts of our work and activities
Information and research compiled by Sarah Salem.