While polarisation and lack of nuance in food system transition is often noted as a barrier, not many organisations have the time or skills to tackle what is potentially one of the most significant blockers. Funding from AFN Network+’s Flex Fund allowed food systems alliance Eating Better to build on the organisation’s Changing the Narrative work strands, through three events that were designed to build relationships and deepen understanding. Specifically, the events, attended by 60 people across three days in 2024, aimed to better understand retailers, manufacturers and farmers and their position in relation to food system change and net zero, as three sectors that are often misunderstood. The first session included a panel of three people who previously held senior positions in retail, to counter the fact many members of civil society can struggle with  the constraints or motivations of those working in the retail sector. The second and third events explore farmer perspectives in relation to net zero and land use issues, including land sparing versus land sharing and eating ‘less and better’ meat and dairy. The first, held on a farm, allowed attendees to relax and break down barriers in a relevant farm environment. The second, in London, provided the space to discuss challenging topics, from a position of curiosity and empathy. 

Two messaging guides were produced as a result of the days, with tips to better connect alliance members with both retail and farmer audiences. From the retail side, this included things such as asking where someone sits in a retail organisation, as there are different internal teams with competing priorities i.e. commercial, product development or sustainability. For farmers, talking about habitat restoration rather than rewilding may yield more collaborative results. This session also identified a tension between the need for urgent and transformative action, with the need to make the argument palatable and nuanced.