Sharing Skills

Working for a better food system

Why does our food system need to change?

Watch this short video from the UN Environment Programme.

 

What needs to be done to improve our food system?

In the UK – The National Food Strategy

The government commissioned an independent review of the food system which was released in 2020 and 2021 to set out a vision and a plan for our future food system which improves the health of people and the planet.

Read more here

Young people were invited to consult on the National Food Strategy. Find a link to their findings here:
NFS_Young-Peoples-Consultation-Report-Final (1)

The government responded to this in 2022 with this white paper.
Read a summary here.

This response has been described as disappointing and feeble.

Is positive change happening?

There are many inspirational food projects and organisations working hard to improve access to good food for everyone by working with people, producers and local organisations, or contributing to food policies to ensure everyone can afford, and has access to a healthy diet that is also sustainable for the planet.

Here are just a few organisations inspiring change.

Locally

Food Partnerships are forming all over the country. Each partnership brings local people and organisations together to communicate, share ideas and work together to improve the local food system. Find out what inspirational work these organisations are doing through your local Food Partnership website:

Other Local initiatives

Nationally

  • The Food Foundation – has a vision is a sustainable food system which delivers health and wellbeing for all.
    – Broken plate report 2022  The Food Foundation’s annual report documenting the health of our food system.
    – Veg facts 2021 – looks at how much veg the UK is eating.
  • Nourish Scotland – is a charity focusing on food policy and practice. We work for a fair, healthy and sustainable food system that truly values nature and people.
  • Food Sense Wales – aims to influence how food is produced and consumed in Wales, ensuring that sustainable food, farming and fisheries are at the heart of a just, connected and prosperous food system.
  • Nourish NI – is a charity in Northern Ireland that is working to ensure good, healthy food is available to everyone.
  • Veg Power – has a mission to inspire and support kids to have veggie loving habits

  • Food Matters – brings people together to build skills, knowledge and confidence to make that change happen.
  • The Soil Association – is the charity working with everyone to transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.
  • Landworkers Alliance – is a union of farmers, growers, foresters and land-based workers. Our mission is to improve the livelihoods of our members and create a better food and land-use system for everyone.
  • Chefs in Schools – transforming school food and education.

  • TastEd – giving children the opportunity to experience the joy of fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Community Supported Agriculture – is a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.
  • Eden Project Communities – community food projects and home of The Big Lunch.
  • Sustain –  is a powerful alliance of organisations and communities working together for a better system of food, farming and fishing, and cultivating the movement for change.
  • Bite Back 2030 – is a team of passionate teenage activists from across the UK who are campaigning for more opportunities to be healthy.
  • Incredible Edible Todmorden – growing food in unusual spaces and inspiring others to join in.

 

Internationally

 

  • Eat-Lancet Commission – on Food, Planet, Health brought together 37 world-leading scientists from across the globe to answer this question:
    Can we feed a future population of 10 billion people a healthy diet within planetary boundaries?
  • The European Food Information Council – founded to make the science behind food and health more accessible and easier to understand among the public.
  • Central World Kitchen – is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. We build resilient food systems with locally led solutions.