Design thinking, community engagement, and food systems insights are contributing to an emerging theory of change at Community Food Lab. Supporting this emerge theory, we see a pattern of adaptive food plans in our work. This presentation introduces two case studies and explores opportunities and limitations in this approach.

1. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Design Thinking and
Community Engagement for
Adaptive Food System Frameworks:
Critical reflections on opportunities
and limitations

2. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Design
thinking
Community
engagement
Our emerging
theory of food
system change
Food system
insights

3. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018http://v2.centralstory.com/_gfx/squiggle.png

4. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
• Allows solutions in ambiguous contexts
• Helps envision and model alternate
futures
• Encourages intersectional, circular, and
systems thinking within outcomes-based
process
• Encourages multi-scale considerations
Design thinking

5. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

6. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

7. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Community engagement

8. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

9. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

10. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

11. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
• Reflect community needs in planning
• Caution around extractive vs participatory
methods
• Key elements include transparency, clear
communication, investing in trust
Community engagement

12. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Adaptive planning frameworks

13. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

14. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Adaptive planning frameworks
• Drive coordinated action in ambiguous
contexts
• Encourage regular feedback loops and
learning
• Adjust to changing conditions without
losing value

15. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Two case studies

16. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Strathcona County Urban
Agriculture Strategy

17. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Strathcona County, AB

18. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Developed by:
Transportation and Agricultural Services
Project Team:
Intelligent Futures and Community Food Lab
Implementing Leadership:
Transportation and Agricultural Services
Strathcona County Urban Agriculture Strategy

19. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

20. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

21. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

22. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Wake County Food
Security Plan

23. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Wake County, NC

24. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
1.1 million residents
3.8% unemployment
12.7% food insecure

25. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Developed by:
Wake County Human Services and Cooperative
Extension
Project Team:
Community Food Lab and Capital Area Food Network
(food council)
Implementing Leadership:
Capital Area Food Network and Wake County
Wake County Food Security Plan

26. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Engagement Activities and Stats

27. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

28. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018

29. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
Emerging Adaptive Project:
Durham County Food Planning
Developed by:
Duke University and Durham City/County Gov’t
Project Team:
Community Food Lab and purpose-built community
design team
Implementing Leadership:
TBD

30. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
• Find planning processes that build
community cohesion, trust, and shared
ownership
• Plan for intersecting systems and cultures
• Grow comfort in ambiguity and changing
landscapes
• Plan for lasting structures and networks
• Plan like an organizer
Opportunities for Adaptive
Frameworks

31. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
• Can be slower to develop and complete
• May need to bring along funders, elected
officials, and community in new approaches
• Requires regular planning effort to reflect,
revise, and update plans
• Less valuable where there is relatively little
ambiguity
Limitations of Adaptive
Frameworks

32. Place-Based Food Systems Conference
August 11, 2018
@comm_food_lab
www.communityfoodlab.org
Strathcona Urban Ag Strategy
https://www.strathcona.ca/council-county/plans-and-reports/strategic-documents/agriculture-
master-plan/urban-agriculture-strategy/
Wake County Food Security Plan
https://www.capitalareafoodnetwork.org/foodplan/