Local Government Food Systems Journey
A clear pathway for local governments to engage with food system transformation.
Local Governments play a critical role in shaping resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems. But after 10 years working alongside them, we know it can be challenging knowing where to start, how to build capacity and when to initiate action.
The Local Government Food Systems Journey distills 10 years of Sustain’s consulting experience into a clear pathway for Local Governments to engage with food system transformation. Beginning with Gathering to understand the current landscape, then moving into Deepening to strengthen knowledge, skills and partnerships. From there, Acting enables Local Governments to translate vision into strategies and initiatives, while Monitoring ensures accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
By following these phases, Local Governments can build the evidence base, capability, and collaborative structures needed to support healthier, more resilient, and community-driven local food systems to take root. If you’re ready to start, or take the next step, our food systems experts can walk beside you.
GATHERING
Gathering establishes a clear picture of existing food system assets, gaps, and needs, giving councils the evidence and direction required to plan effectively and prioritise action.
What we can deliver
- Internal mapping
- Scoping/needs analysis
- Food system mapping (community or GIS)
- Food environment mapping (business data / GIS)
- Food system network analysis
- Literature reviews
- Best practice benchmarking
- Food security and resilience scoping study
- Policy scans
DEEPENING
Deepening builds councils’ capacity and confidence through analysis, training, and collaboration, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and partnerships needed to embed food systems thinking into governance and coordinated action.
What we can deliver
- Policy analysis
- Feasibility studies
- Food systems 101 training workshops
- Mapping
- Food systems
- Role of local government
- Planning and coordinating joint advocacy (e.g. symposiums)
- Sector forum or symposium development and facilitation
ACTING
Acting turns vision into practice by developing policies, strategies, and partnerships that drive concrete action on local food systems.
What we can deliver
- Community and stakeholder engagement and consultation
- Stakeholder workshops (internal / external)
- Community food forums
- Policy development
- Action plan development
- Food system strategy development
- Food security framework
- Local food coalition or network development
MONITORING
Monitoring ensures accountability and learning by tracking progress, measuring impact, and refining approaches to strengthen local food systems over time.
What we can deliver
- Impact measurement framework and evaluation