18 JUNE NETWORKING: Public engagement and the agri-food sector

We’re holding a networking session in collaboration with the Transforming UK Food Systems Programme for anyone interested in public engagement. Info and registration. 

19 JUNE WEBINAR: Systems thinking – through the lens of beans

Dr John Ingram will guide us through using systems thinking in practice to address complex problems – through the lens of beans into the food system. Info and tickets. John and colleagues have also just had their related report on The contribution of pulses to net zero in the UK, published.

20 JUNE WEBINAR: Critical issues for the next government, with Will Hutton

The Food Foundation’s boss, Anna Taylor, will be discussing the critical issues for the next government with political economic and journalist, Will Hutton. Info and tickets. 

ELECTION ROUND-UP: Who and what has been saying what re food, farming and climate?

The NFU has analysed manifesto commitments for food and farming, as has The Grocer, while key bodies in food, retail and farming set out their priorities for an incoming government. There’s also analysis from The Guardian about how the parties stack up on climate pledges,  as well as from Carbon Brief. 

Mhairi Brown, at the FFCC, looks at what the party manifestos hold for food, including school meals, public procurement, junk food advertising, while colleague Georgie Barber writes about how a land use framework can deliver multiple wins for the next government.

The Food Foundation also looks at the manifestos in this podcast episode and this episode.

REPORT: The contribution of pulses to net zero in the UK

Pulses have been commonly identified as significant in driving emissions reduction throughout the value chain, whilst also delivering multiple co-benefits for biodiversity, soils, local economy, and human health. This review takes a food systems perspective on the potential of pulses to help achieve net zero in UK agrifood. By our Year One Champion, Dr John Ingram, and colleagues. Read report.

REPORT: Ultra-processed foods contribute to 2.7m deaths in Europe a year

A ground-breaking report by the WHO highlights ‘how big industry fuels chronic diseases, obstructs health policy and targets vulnerable people’. The report estimates that  2.7 million people in Europe die a year, due entirely or partly, to four major industries – ultra-processed food, tobacco, alcohol, and fossil fuels. Read the report.

REPORT: What do agro-ecological farmers think of agri-tech?

The answer can be found in a new report, Agroecological Intelligence, produced by A Bigger Conversation, following an 18-month project with farmers and growers to define agroecologically appropriate technology.