We were engaged to facilitate the co-design of the Flourish Regional Food System Framework for the Loddon Campaspe region of Victoria, encompassing six local government areas: City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, and Mount Alexander Shire. This initiative aimed to guide the collaborative efforts of local governments, businesses, organisations, and community members toward a more resilient and equitable food system.

Our approach involved two key components:​

1. Regional Food System Profile Assessment: We conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand the current state of the region's food system, identifying assets, challenges, and opportunities.​

2. Co-Designing the Food System Framework: Utilising a bespoke co-design process, we brought together diverse stakeholders through facilitated workshops. These sessions enabled participants to collaboratively identify regional food issues and envision a future where these challenges are addressed.​

The resulting Flourish Framework articulates a shared vision, underpinned by three core values and five interconnected objectives. It outlines multiple emerging strategies supported by existing policies, investments, and initiatives. To further operationalise the framework, we facilitated a capacity-building and action-planning workshop with key local government actors, focusing on effective implementation strategies.