Collaborative intersectoral approaches to nutrition in a community on the urban fringe

A case study is presented that describes the 10-year evolution of a local i ntersectoral project aimed at improving components of a community's food sy stem as an approach to improving nutrition. Aspects of innovation and good contemporary practice in collaborating for health promotion are illustrated . Key initiators of the project were a university public health department, a community health service, and a local government authority. Players brou ght into the process included the agricultural sector and food retailers. S everal strategies have contributed to the success and institutionalization of the project. These include a specific focus on organizational developmen t and opacity building among the key intersectoral partners and the use of formative evaluation methods to hasten the natural phases of collaborative problem solving. The project achieved many policy- and system-level changes . The impact on food consumption patterns is still to be evaluated.