Evaluating the Nourish Network: a multi-sector collective initiative to progress healthy food retail in Australia.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the current state of the Nourish Network (NN) - a healthy food retail network, to inform future planning and improvement opportunities.

Design: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews conducted between January and April 2024, open-ended survey questions from six online surveys applied between 2019 and 2022 and a focus group with the NN Advisory Committee (NNAC) in June 2024. Thematic analysis was applied to interview and survey data. Results from the thematic analysis were presented to the NNAC, which classified them according to the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats model, resulting in recommendations for future actions.

Setting: Australia.

Participants: NN members (interviews n 9 and survey average response n 30) and NNAC (n 9).

Results: Nine interviews yielded eight codes clustered into three themes: (i) NN performance, covering overall performance and management since 2018; (ii) members' engagement with NN activities, addressing current and future involvement and (iii) NN future directions for improvement. The NNAC highlighted strengths in membership diversity and credibility while noting weaknesses in mission clarity and participation. Opportunities for growth include becoming a resource hub through partnerships and national expansion, whereas threats involve limited resources. Recommendations emphasise clear operational tasks, policy alignment and measurement systems to boost accountability and engagement.

Conclusions: To effectively promote healthy food retail changes, the Network for Nutrition and similar organisations must establish a clear vision and enhance stakeholder engagement. This involves consolidating knowledge dissemination, fostering partnerships and securing funding. Ongoing efforts from collectives like the Nourish Network can facilitate research in resource-scarce areas.