We are pleased to announce our next Lunchtime Seminar showcasing “FoodSEqual: Co-production of healthy, sustainable food systems for disadvantaged communities” presented by Professor Carol Wagstaff, Research Dean for Agriculture, Food and Health and Principal Investigator for FoodSEqual “Co-production of healthy, sustainable food systems for disadvantaged communities”. The seminar will take place Thursday 24th March at 13.00 – 14.00 via Microsoft Teams.
Abstract:
A baseline of 22% of people live in food poverty in the UK, often reliant on solutions outside of mainstream food systems, including food banks. This doesn’t enable people to plan or choose their diet, or to improve their food security on a long-term basis. Disadvantaged communities left behind by the traditional UK food system will have a bigger say in how healthy and sustainable food is produced and distributed through the FoodSEqual project. People who are currently struggling to put healthy, sustainable food on their tables each day are at the heart of this project. Many struggle, not because they lack aspiration or knowledge about food, but because of the real impact of financial or time poverty. The project, which brings together expertise from the Universities of Reading, Cranfield, Sussex, Plymouth and Kent, plus numerous partners from the food industry, civil organisations and policy makers, will give a voice and power to those who are so often left behind when food systems, food policies and novel products are designed.
The work is being jointly carried out between our researchers, people in disadvantaged communities, policy makers and food producers to find new ways to tackle systemic issues around food inequalities. Together, the consortium partners aim to give everyone access to a diet that meets their health needs and which is produced in a way that is good for our planet. The project will focus on sharing knowledge and learning from working with people from a variety of disadvantaged communities (Whitley, Berkshire; Brighton and Hove, West Sussex; Tower Hamlets, London; and Plymouth, Devon), small and large food businesses, and policy makers. As part of the programme, communities will co-create policies to prevent food loss from ‘mainstream’ supply chains, and identify where increased sustainable production of primary food ingredients is needed.