Co-creating resilient community food systems: A systems approach using group model building
Carmen Vargas1, Gabrielle Francis-Foreman2, Laura Duff2
1Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia.
Health & Place
|February 4, 2026
Summary
This study used systems science and co-creation to improve local food systems in the Latrobe Valley, developing community-led actions for healthier, more accessible, and resilient food environments.
Area of Science:
- Systems science and public health interventions
- Community-based participatory research
- Food systems analysis
Background:
- Local food systems are complex, influencing population health and resilience.
- The Latrobe Valley (LV) faces economic transition and health inequities, with a rich agricultural heritage.
- This study explored the LV food system to enhance health, sustainability, and accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the Latrobe Valley food system using systems science and co-creation.
- To develop an action plan for improving food system health, sustainability, and accessibility.
- To identify community-led actions for a more resilient local food system.
Main Methods:
- Group Model Building (GMB) through three facilitated workshops with 38 diverse participants.
- Development of a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to map factors affecting food access.
- Leveraging a pre-existing relationship between academic and community partners.
Main Results:
- Identified key system interactions, including socioeconomic disadvantage impacting food relief demand.
- Highlighted the reinforcing loop between food literacy, healthy eating norms, and community engagement.
- Revealed opportunity-constraint tensions in local food production and fresh food availability, informing prioritized community actions.
Conclusions:
- Systems thinking and co-creation are valuable for adaptive, inclusive, and context-sensitive interventions.
- The study supports community-driven pathways toward a more resilient local food system.
- Actionable insights were generated to improve food affordability, availability, and literacy.
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