Citizens start pioneering work to help shape new UK food strategy

The Food Foundation welcomes the launch of the government's Good Food Cycle plan to transform Britain's food system.

It is being spearheaded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which has identified 10 priority outcomes with the aim of driving generational change in our relationship with food via policies such as greener supply chains and mandatory reporting on the sales of healthy food.

Reacting to the launch, Food Foundation Executive Director Anna Taylor said: "No one can argue with the government’s ambition today: to turn off the junk food cycle and switch on the good food cycle.

"The real challenge lies in delivering it. Our current food system has evolved over decades and reshaping it will require sustained policy intervention over the long term.

"That means building a legislative foundation capable of driving change across multiple electoral cycles.

"It will also require shifting the commercial incentives, so that selling junk food is no longer the easiest route to profit.

"At the same time, we need coordinated action to boost the production and consumption of British fruit, vegetables and pulses - and to support local businesses, anchor institutions, and producers to connect, grow and thrive.

"Only then can good food systems emerge that reflect local identity, culture and values - and serve the interests of everyone, not just the privileged few.

"Today’s ambition sets a powerful direction. Now it must be matched by bold, visionary policy to turn promise into progress."

Hopes high for food strategy

Meanwhile, citizens today joined Minister of State, Daniel Zeichner MP, in Bradford to encourage this government to go further than any other in transforming the way food works in the UK.

The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), drawn from a network of informed citizens from different places and backgrounds, is working with the Defra team to ensure everyday people's views inform the Food Strategy's development.

The public is ready for change. Following workshops with citizens from around the UK, the CAC is calling for a Food Strategy that prioritises sustainably produced, minimally processed, healthy and whole foods.

How citizens are helping shape the new food strategy

They want it to balance public interests and corporate interests, emphasise healthy food culture and ensure a fair deal for British producers and farmers.

They also encourage government to learn from what works, scaling up proven solutions and identifying practical and achievable actions.

Here's what some of the CAC members think about the Food Strategy:

"I think it's very important to get out and speak to people from different corners of the UK and from all different social aspects and social standings, to understand what the real problems are at the ground level" - Kevin Robson, Tyne & Wear

"I'd love it if we end up in a place where providing healthy, good food for your family becomes a little less confusing. At the moment, I think lots of citizens do find it confusing. It shouldn't be a struggle to provide healthy food for a family" - David Njoku, Berkshire

"I think what I'm really looking for is change. Defra have been really vocal that they want to hear us and they want to centre citizen voices as a key part of their strategy" - Emmanuela Kumi, London

This phase of citizen engagement has involved citizens from The Food Foundation Ambassadors programme and participants in Food, Farming and Countryside's Food Conversation, the UK’s largest-ever public dialogue about food.

The Citizens Advisory Council, a group of twenty informed citizens, has helped shape the project, and oversee a series of workshops with an additional group of citizens from across the UK. There are plans for the next phase of citizen work, which will build on the work so far and involve many more people.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director, of The Food Foundation, said: "Having citizens involved in the Food Strategy is crucial if policymakers are to truly understand the complex barriers that prevent people from being able to access and afford a balanced diet.

"From living in an area where there is no supermarket within walking distance, to the reality of having to choose between paying for heating or food for your family, to the challenges of food preparation when you are living with a disability- each of our Ambassadors has a story which needs to be heard.

"This is the Government’s opportunity to create a food strategy that really works for citizens and to build the foundations of a stronger nation."

Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive of the Food Farming and Countryside Commission, said: "Defra’s Food Strategy is already demonstrating its potential to be groundbreaking.

"It could not come at a more critical time. Citizens are astonished at the cost to society of a system which leaves so many families without enough to eat, and many others in poor health.

"They are worried too about the balance of power in a system where many farmers are poorly paid for their work, food resilience is at risk, and food production globally is damaging nature and climate.

"The group we brought together, from all walks of life, have resoundingly said they want to be part of the change. We look forward to continuing this work and helping citizens to support the development of a robust food strategy that benefits generations to come."