Dietitians as Food Systems Changemakers: The Path to Developing a Resilient, Equitable, Healthy and Connected Food System in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Region of Australia

BACKGROUND: Contemporary food systems contribute to climate change and influence food security, diet quality, equity and regional resilience. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires coordinated, place-based actions across the entire food system, with dietitians and nutrition professionals increasingly recognised as key system actors. OBJECTIVE: To describe a dietitian-led, systems-thinking approach used to inform the development of a regional food strategy in New South Wales, Australia and to identify opportunities for dietitians and nutrition professionals in food system change across health, equity and environmental sustainability domains. METHODS: Using a socioecological model of health promotion and a collective impact methodology, a 2-year evidence-building and co-design programme of work was undertaken. Mixed methods were used across Ottawa Charter action areas: Building Healthy Public Policy; Creating a Supportive Environment; Developing Personal Skills; and Strengthening Community Action. Activities included diet affordability analysis, food environment and production mapping, community surveys, social network analysis, pilot skills-building initiatives and cross-sector stakeholder engagement. RESULTS: The programme generated a coordinated regional evidence base on food security, food environments and local food systems, which informed the establishment and governance structure of a cross-sector Food Futures Taskforce and the co-design of a regional Food Charter and Action Plan with defined priorities and responsibilities. Findings highlight the central role of dietitians as knowledge translators, equity advocates and facilitators of systems change. CONCLUSION: This case study demonstrates how dietitians can operationalise systems thinking to catalyse regional food system governance and transformation. The approach offers a transferable model for integrating research, policy and practice to advance healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems.