Why Systems Change?

Nashville residents face all kinds of inequities: limited access to healthy, affordable food, persistent health disparities, the loss of agricultural land, food waste, and environmental degradation. All of these challenges are interrelated, caused by a food system that does not work for farmers, grocers, restaurants, or eaters — which, of course, is all of us.

A systems change approach leverages community engagement and cross-sector collaboration to address these challenges. By integrating this approach to our work, we will better understand why food-related challenges persist, and how we can work together to create a food system that actually works for everyone in our city.

Over the next few years, you will see this approach informing our work, especially in FeedBack Nashville. From convening key food system stakeholders to hosting neighborhood meetings, we are counting on your engagement to create lasting change in our city. Together, we can achieve our vision of vibrant community food security, where everyone in Nashville has access to the food they want and need through a just and sustainable food system.