The Food Systems Decision-Support Toolbox

This toolbox has been developed to collate different tools and methods that can be used for food system analysis.
It is specifically based on systems thinking for food system analysis, with the aim to formulate actionable recommendations that can bring about systemic change.It describes both the process of a food system analysis, as well as a set of tools that can be used at different stages.

The toolbox does not present a stepwise recipe for a food system analysis; it is rather a cookbook that aims to inspire anyone with an interest in food systems to get in- volved in food system analysis, regardless of whether you are a policy maker, practitioner, or researcher. It helps to make informed strategic decisions on the design of pol- icies or interventions in the domains of food, agriculture and development. The food system analysis as described in this guide is thus understood as an ex-ante assessment to inform the policies, strategies, or programs that seek to contribute to systemic change in a food system.

The toolbox intends to inspire a variety of users:

• Policy makers who may want to commission a food system analysis in order to inform new policy development, and foresight processes.
• Researchers who want to use a combination of research and participatory methods to better understand cause-effect relations in a food system.
• NGOs who want to develop a holistic intervention to improve food system outcomes (e.g. food & nutrition security), addressing specific bottlenecks.