Evaluating Merri-bek food systems initiatives

Key points

• Merri-bek City Council released its first food system strategy in 2017
• The Council recognised that long-term investment in food system change is required to build a just, sustainable and vibrant food system
• A food systems logic model maps pathways between activities in the strategy and long-term outcomes
• One of the activities in the strategy is the Merri-bek Community Food Hub, which has been evaluated within the overarching framework of the food systems logic model

The Merri-bek Food System Strategy has a vision for a ‘sustainable, just and vibrant food system’. The strategy was launched in 2017 and has long term goals for a food secure, resilient community, a strong local food economy, and a healthy and climate resilient environment.

From little things big things grow

Since 2017, the council has increased knowledge and capacity for food system change. It has developed networks to increase community resilience in the face of shocks and stresses, and growing inequality.

The Merri-bek Food System Strategy 2024-27 includes a food systems logic model that provides a theory of how food system change will occur. It shows pathways between activities in the Strategy and the medium- and long-term outcomes [1]. The Council is working with community groups to improve monitoring and evaluation processes. It is identifying indicators to monitor progress, informed by the outcomes logic and aligned with other council strategic plans.

A collective impact framework

The Merri Food Hub is one of the community food activities that emerged from the Food System Strategy. The Hub aims to provide an affordable, safe and consistent supply of locally sourced and culturally relevant fruits and vegetables to residents. A council-funded feasibility study conducted in 2020 informed the development of the Hub and the formation of a community-led action group.

The action group adopted a collective impact measurement framework to measure 18 food systems impact areas related to equity, health, environment and economy [2]. An evaluation of the Hub highlighted challenges implementing the collective impact measurement tool, particularly for small community food organisations. Nevertheless, the learnings from this initiative to establish a shared measurement system are influencing broader initiatives in the Melbourne region and internationally [3].