The Development of a Provincial Food and Nutrition Strategy through Cross-Sector Collaboration

A whole-system perspective is critical in efforts to create a healthy population and a productive, equitable, and sustainable food system. In 2009, the Ontario Collaborative Group on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity undertook a bold initiative to develop a comprehensive provincial strategy encompassing the entire food system. The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy was shaped through extensive consultation with diverse stakeholders. This strategy identified strategic directions and priority actions for productive, equitable, and sustainable food systems intended to promote the health and well-being of all Ontarians. Paramount to the strategy is a collaborative governance mechanism allowing for a cross-government, multistakeholder coordinated approach to food policy development. Key actors participated in a collective impact process to develop a theory of change and potential governance model. Different models for collaborative work were examined and a governance model for a multistakeholder coordinated provincial mechanism was proposed. Lessons learned from this process will inform others involved in food systems work at the provincial, regional, or local level and may pave the way towards successful inter-sectoral action on priority recommendations geared towards improved nutrition-related and food systems outcomes.