A Systemic Diagnosis
In order to have a better food system in Nashville, we first have to understand what is not working about our current system. In other words, we have to diagnose - both the strengths and weaknesses - the current system. Forum for the Future lays out several goals that a good systems diagnosis can achieve. A systems diagnosis is useful:
To help people understand their system and boundaries, actors, relationships, interconnections, dynamics
To identify challenges or opportunities;
To reveal areas in the system that might be ripe for change, intervention, or more interrogation;
To bring people together, to prepare them to intervene and innovate for change
To create a shared endeavor
“A good diagnosis simplifies the often overwhelming complexity of reality by identifying certain aspects of the situation as critical.” (Richard Rumelt , Good Strategy-Bad Strategy)
Completing a systems diagnosis is a vital part of working towards sustainable transformation of our food system. Without understanding the nuances and root of the issue(s) with our current system, there is no way to holistically address all of the dysfunction that is present.
FeedBack Nashville’s system diagnosis sought to answer a variety of different questions:
How does the food system intersect with other systems? What are the strengths of the current food system? Where are the promising signals of change enabling a just and sustainable food system? What are the key challenges and barriers preventing the food system in Nashville from being just, sustainable, and working for all community members?
Answering these questions will help us gain an understanding of what is necessary to create a food system that works for people in all corners of Nashville, that is dynamic enough to continue to work as Nashville continues to grow and change, and that is deeply participatory in nature.
“The future can’t be predicted, but it can be envisioned and brought lovingly into being… We can’t impose our will upon a system. We can’t control systems or figure them out. But we can dance with them!” (Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems)
We can’t control Nashville’s food system, but we can dance with it, work with it to unlock the potential for change that it contains.
A vital part of our systems diagnosis was our city-wide survey. We solicited responses from a diverse pool of Nashville residents, ultimately receiving more than 500 responses. These responses allowed us to have an in depth look at how people throughout Nashville are experiencing the food system, from traveling to get food, to accessing culturally relevant, healthy foods, to having space and time to prepare foods. Next, we took steps to host Community Listening Sessions to share these results with community members. Stay tuned for an upcoming post about our survey results and Community Listening Session series.