If we want to fix the deeply rooted issues in Melbourne’s strained food system, first we need to make sense of it. How did we get here? What have we come to accept as ‘status quo’? And what’s standing in the way of meaningful collective action? In our latest report, ‘The Foodie City we need to become: Greater Melbourne’s systemic opportunity’, our Food Systems Lead Dheepa Jeyapalan explores the challenges and abundant opportunities that lie ahead.

Two months ago, Regen Melbourne embarked on an exciting journey into the intricate world of food systems. Since then, as lead convenor, I’ve  delved deep into the heart of this complex landscape. I’ve engaged with a diverse array of stakeholders – from non-profits to corporations – exploring issues ranging from food security to waste reduction.

My findings, while concerning, may not surprise many of you. Our food system is under tremendous strain, struggling to nourish our population while depleting our natural resources. Despite the commendable efforts of passionate individuals and initiatives across Greater Melbourne and Victoria, we find ourselves at an impasse – and in some cases, regressing, as the cost of living crisis impacts both families and producers.

However, within these systemic challenges lie transformative opportunities. These issues can be reimagined as levers for change, requiring coordinated action and a fundamental shift in our approach to investment and intervention. These challenges and opportunities are explored in our new paper on sensemaking Greater Melbourne’s food system.

Here, we're proposing four interconnected pathways to reimagine Greater Melbourne as a true 'foodie city' – one that's resilient, nutritious, equitable, and sustainable.

We invite you to immerse yourself in our paper and share your thoughts. On Tuesday October 8th, we'll host a virtual feedback session from 11am-12pm. This is your opportunity to bring your insights, critiques, and questions to the table. To join this session, please register using this link.

Together, let's craft a better food future for Greater Melbourne – one that nourishes our community and sustains our natural environment for generations to come.

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