{"id":2672,"date":"2026-02-18T14:24:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/?page_id=2672"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:33:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:33:39","slug":"transforming-food-and-farming-systems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/transforming-food-and-farming-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming food and farming systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The University of Reading is internationally recognised for its leadership in agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental science, with a long-standing commitment to improving global food security and addressing the drivers and consequences of malnutrition. We approach nutrition and food security through targeted research across the entire food system: sustainable production, resilient supply chains, consumer behaviour and food choice, and social equity.<\/h4>\n

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“To beat the twin problems of hunger and obesity, we need to improve the whole system of how we grow, eat and think about food. Through the Agrifood Futures strategy, we want to ensure everyone globally has access to a sufficient, healthy, sustainable diet that leaves the lightest possible footprint on the planet. The UK needs to maintain its leadership and investment in food and nutrition research if we want to continue to help people eat and live well, wherever they live.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Professor Parveen Yaqoob OBE, Deputy Vice\u2011Chancellor and Pro\u2011Vice\u2011Chancellor for Research & Innovation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Why food system change is needed<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]National and global challenges in our food system include climate-driven disruption of food production, rising levels of malnutrition and hunger, and the degradation of natural resources. We bring together world-leading researchers with governments, industry and communities to co-create processes and solutions that support lasting change.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this ambition is Agrifood Futures<\/a><\/strong>, the University\u2019s new research strategy designed to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food by 2050. Grounded in systems thinking and co-created with partners from across the agrifood sector, Agrifood Futures provides a framework for tackling food insecurity, multiple forms of malnutrition and associated diet-related disease \u2013 alongside interconnected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and economic and social inequalities.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2808″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Food that nourishes people and the planet <\/strong>\"\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Through strong and inclusive research partnerships, we will play a role in creating a global food system that delivers desirable, healthy and sustainable food for everyone.[\/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”10″ order=”ASC” item=”2026″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1772702216492-396113cb-150d-3″ taxonomies=”311″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Farming systems that work with nature and our climate\"\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We will innovate in responsible food production while protecting and enriching our natural resources.[\/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”10″ order=”ASC” item=”2026″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1772702216493-caf4b43b-5ac5-6″ taxonomies=”310″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"\"A resilient food system for everyone<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Our research will help to create an adaptable food system that meets our needs in the face of shocks and stresses.[\/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”10″ item=”2026″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1772702216493-2ad22cf9-4faa-3″ taxonomies=”312″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1772702526464{background-color: #124e72 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Practical insights for transforming food systems<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Understanding today\u2019s food, climate and health challenges means working across disciplines <\/span>and<\/em> with the people who experience these issues first\u2011hand. No single perspective can capture the full complexity of our food systems or the trade\u2011offs involved in making them fairer, greener and more resilient.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Systems and Futures Hub, launched in 2025 as part of the University\u2019s Agrifood Futures strategy, brings this approach to life. The Hub helps embed systems thinking and futures methods across our research, teaching and public engagement. Its work supports projects focused on food systems, climate, environment, inequality and health, grounded in collaboration with communities and practitioners.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The University of Reading is internationally recognised for its leadership in agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental science, with a long-standing commitment to improving global food security and addressing the…Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":991,"featured_media":2822,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":""},"coauthors":[250],"class_list":["post-2672","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTransforming food and farming systems - Engagement and Impact<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The University of Reading is internationally recognised for its leadership in agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental science, with a long-standing commitment to improving global food security and addressing the drivers and consequences of malnutrition. 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