ABSTRACT
Background
Contemporary food systems contribute to climate change and influence food security, diet quality, equity and regional resilience. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires coordinated, place-based actions across the entire food system, with dietitians and nutrition professionals increasingly recognised as key system actors.
Objective
To describe a dietitian-led, systems-thinking approach used to inform the development of a regional food strategy in New South Wales, Australia and to identify opportunities for dietitians and nutrition professionals in food system change across health, equity and environmental sustainability domains.
Methods
Using a socioecological model of health promotion and a collective impact methodology, a 2-year evidence-building and co-design programme of work was undertaken. Mixed methods were used across Ottawa Charter action areas: Building Healthy Public Policy; Creating a Supportive Environment; Developing Personal Skills; and Strengthening Community Action. Activities included diet affordability analysis, food environment and production mapping, community surveys, social network analysis, pilot skills-building initiatives and cross-sector stakeholder engagement.
Results
The programme generated a coordinated regional evidence base on food security, food environments and local food systems, which informed the establishment and governance structure of a cross-sector Food Futures Taskforce and the co-design of a regional Food Charter and Action Plan with defined priorities and responsibilities. Findings highlight the central role of dietitians as knowledge translators, equity advocates and facilitators of systems change.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates how dietitians can operationalise systems thinking to catalyse regional food system governance and transformation. The approach offers a transferable model for integrating research, policy and practice to advance healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 39, Issue 3, June 2026. Read More