Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Table: The Role of Participatory Design in Reimagining our Food Systems for Greater Equity and Resilience

Abstract

This study seeks to explore how design that is participatory and people-powered can confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time: ending hunger. The main research objectives are to develop a deeper understanding of why the United States is failing to address hunger, to explore if and how participatory design practices are being used today to advance community leadership within local food systems and to better understand what barriers and opportunities exist when leading this work today.

To meet these goals, a literature review was conducted along with a mixed-methods study that included qualitative interviews with three core populations: food leaders, participatory designers, and leaders using participatory design in the food system. Interviews were followed by two surveys to expand and validate interview findings.

Participants suggested that food insecurity is not about food, but rather income inequality, systemic racism, and a lack of social services. While individuals and organizations are motivated to address these root causes, too many actors benefit from the current system, creating a lack of political will for change. Organizations also expressed a desire to center people with lived expertise, but what this looks like and what constitutes participation varies widely.

What became increasingly evident through this research is that there is no “recipe” for meaningful, authentic food systems change. Participatory design is just one tool for understanding the problem and creating sustainable impact. Truly equitable, participatory design is a journey that has to be designed to fit the needs of each individual community. However, certain “ingredients” are essential to every process and cannot be left out or substituted, including the need to establish trust, build relationships, and show up authentically in ways that acknowledge and confer power.

The outcome of this thesis is a participatory mise en place for making equitable change in the food system, which includes a set of ingredients that food system and design leaders could incorporate as they seek to cook up change in the food system.

This study serves as an actionable resource for understanding the prerequisites for community-driven change as more organizations strive to work directly with people with lived experience, and aspire to redesign food systems.