FixOurFood

Come and work with us at the Centre for Food Policy as part of an exciting project that aims to enhance the contribution of Nature Based Solutions to climate adaptation in the UK #joineduplandscapes #foodpolicy

We are looking for a Research Associate to join the FixOurFood project, a UKRI-funded initiative aiming to revolutionize the food system in Yorkshire and beyond. https://lnkd.in/e2waXRAJ As part of this impactful project, you’ll collaborate with Prof. Sarah Bridle to develop and deliver research and engagement activities. Your work will focus on increasing the reach and impact of the FixOurFood AgriFood Calculator, engaging stakeholders from farmers to young citizens, and measuring the societal and climate impacts of food systems. Key responsibilities include: Running in-person and online workshops. Capturing stakeholder insights and measuring changes in opinions. Contributing to research reports, academic papers, and project milestones. What We’re Looking For: A PhD in Sustainability or a related field (or equivalent experience). Expertise in stakeholder engagement, food system climate impacts, and participatory research methods. Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Strong communication and collaboration skills to engage diverse audiences. Application Deadline: 17 December 2024 Based at University of York #ResearchJobs #Sustainability #FixOurFood #Agrifood #ClimateChange #UniversityOfYork

Earlier this year we brought together farmers, researchers and allied stakeholders with an interest in #RegenerativeAgriculture to share experiences, benefits and challenges and determine priorities for future research. We have produced a report presenting the findings, to date, of FixOurFood and H3, Healthy soil, Healthy food, Healthy people from The University of Sheffield as well as the wider UK Food Systems programme and outputs from the workshop. The workshop highlighted: - The essential role of farmer-researcher partnerships in assessing the environmental and socio-economic outcomes in Regenerative Agriculture (RA) - The benefit of interdisciplinary RA research projects that combine knowledge from multiple academic disciplines and perspectives from both the social and natural science - The need for a co-ordinated network of RA research projects - The value of context specific knowledge - The need for building an evidence base on the efficacy of regenerative practices - The need for collaboration and shared resources between stakeholders - The importance of mentorship networks and demonstration farms to support farmers transitioning to RA - The need to engage with supply chains to ensure to successfully integrate of regenerative products into the UK food system and to align drivers in the value chain to encourage RA - The need to engage with policymakers to ensure there are enabling policies and legislation that encourage and incentivise uptake of RA. Read the full report on our website: https://lnkd.in/eSRc6i96 #TUKFS Ruth Wade Katherine Berthon

Our schools team are constantly demonstrating impact from their research. Nutrition for young people affects us all and we need to ensure our young people are getting the fuel they need to thrive. Watch the recent video below from WSAG to find out more. Latest updates from the FixOurFood in schools team, led by Maria Bryant, can be found on our website: https://lnkd.in/ek-Q-ZA5 #nutrition #SchoolFood #ResearchInAction

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 Last week, I shared my vision for York and North Yorkshire with ITV Calendar. Our region’s strengths are clear—our beautiful countryside, vibrant towns, and rich heritage. Agriculture, food, and farming make us truly unique, and I’m proud to highlight these on the national stage. My goal is to ensure everyone in our region has equal opportunities. By supporting communities and investing in people, we can make a real difference. This role is about creating a brighter future. I’m excited to keep driving positive change for York and North Yorkshire.

With the #COP29 food systems summit coming up tomorrow, our latest paper 'Meat and the future of sustainable diets - challenges and opportunities' provides a timely review of the social, nutritional, public health and environmental aspects of meat consumption within a sustainable food system. https://lnkd.in/ekRH2ZSV The paper is the outcome of a multi-sector roundtable meeting, bringing together stakeholders from a range of disciplines, chaired by Dr Stella Peace of Innovate UK 🔸 There is an urgency to act to transform the food system, but we must ensure there are no unintended consequences for nutritional health. As well as thinking about environmental sustainability we must take this opportunity to improve the Nation’s diet on our journey to Net Zero.   🔸  Sustainability and health go hand in hand and nutrition is a key consideration 🔸 Environmental organisations encourage reducing meat intake to protect the planet and there is a health-related recommendation in the UK to consume no more than 70g each day of red and processed meat. 🔸Average red meat consumption has been going down but, in the UK, the NDNS suggests around a third of us that chose to consume meat are eating more red and processed meats than is recommended - reducing this in line with Government guidelines would benefit health and reduce environmental impacts of our diets 🔸For example, 54% of young men (19-39y) who chose to eat red meat exceed 70g/d 🔸There is evidence of an association between red and processed meat consumption and colorectal cancer but the evidence for processed meat is stronger. Processed meat includes sausages, bacon, ham, salami, canned meats and pate. Given that processed meat is higher in saturated fat and salt, advice to cut back on processed meats is an important health message and may help reduce total meat consumption. 🔸Blanket advice to eat less meat may not be appropriate without ensuring adequate substitutions as some specific groups have inadequate intakes of key nutrients such as zinc, which supports cognitive function, wound healing, fertility and healthy skin, and iron, which is important for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Iron also helps the immune system to work and helps the brain to function normally. 🔸In people who eat red and processed meat it contributes around 23% of zinc to their diets and around 18% of protein 🔸49% of 11-18 year-girls have inadequate iron intakes with thanks to the roundtable participants; Stella Peace, Innovate UK; Kate Arthur, AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board; Dr Tamsin Blaxter, Table debates; Dr Fiona Comrie (then at Food Standards Scotland); Prof Bob Doherty, University of York; Prof Prof. John Gilliland OBE DSc; AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board; Prof Michael Lee, Harper Adams University; Dr Christian Reynolds, City, University of London; Prof Andrew Salter, University of Nottingham

Interesting article today quoting FixOurFood by Adam Forrest in i- newspaper on what the appointment of RFK Junior in USA means for Ultra processed foods @https://lnkd.in/eDTHaYZT

Imagine a world where no child goes hungry, where parents feel supported, and schools thrive with added resources. This isn’t just a dream—it's already happening in County Durham, where automatic enrolment for free school meals has transformed lives. ✅ 2,500 more children now have access to nutritious meals. ✅ Families save £400 per child annually, easing financial burdens. ✅ Schools gain extra funds through the pupil premium grant, benefiting all students. This simple yet powerful initiative reduces stigma, removes bureaucratic barriers, and ensures no eligible child is left behind. It's heartening to see Wales already leading the way with this model—and I’ll harp on about this for as long as it takes to see it adopted nationwide! Automatic enrolment should be the standard everywhere. The benefits are undeniable—for children, families, and schools alike. What are your thoughts on expanding this across the UK? FixOurFood #NoChildHungry #EducationForAll #HealthyKids #EndingChildHunger #SupportOurSchools Image Description: The infographic emphasises the critical link between proper nutrition and learning. Six main benefits are listed with icons or symbols for visual appeal: Boosts Brain Power - Nutrient-rich foods enhance focus, memory, and problem-solving. Improves Behaviour - Supports emotional regulation for better learning. Enhances Performance - Linked to improved grades and attendance. Provides Energy - Enables active participation in lessons. Teaches Healthy Habits - Encourages long-term awareness of balanced eating. Supports Wellbeing - Promotes social bonding and community spirit. The design is clean and educational, aimed at highlighting the need for proper nutrition in schools.

Last Thursday North Yorkshire Council launched their food strategy. FixOurFood have been supporting the development of the strategy and the launch was an opportunity to bring together the actors within the region to agree a way to take the initiatives forward and choose their priority areas across the North Yorkshire food system. Over 50 partners came together for a 'Partnership in Action' event. The partners were grouped into 7 action domain groups and each group developed action plans towards a transformation of the North Yorkshire food system. The 7 groups are: - Nutritious affordable food for all - Raising pride in Yorkshire food businesses - Welcoming innovation within the food industry - Shaping local spaces for healthy food communities - Producing food with nature - Creating an EatWell culture - Facilitating circular food economies Bob Doherty, Principal Investigator for FixOurFood spoke at the event: 'The food system in the UK needs to be transformed, Yorkshire is well placed to drive change due to its strong farming heritage and vast number of small to medium food and drinks enterprises. The FixOurFood research programme took a systems approach to explore how to create a more regenerative approach to food that supports people and planet. The research into action framework has enabled the programme to trial regenerative farming techniques using a co-created design inclusive of farmer insights, demonstrate the wide amount of benefits of auto-enrolment to free school meals, create a metrics database for Yorkshire and test innovative vertical farming methods. Running alongside this, there has also been an exploration of the role of policy and governance for food system change'. David Kerfoot, Chair of the FixOurFood Commission also spoke: 'Motivational day and great to be involved in action-planning for delivery and to see so many committed people in the room from right across the food system'. 'The FixOurFood Commission has been set up to provide both a legacy to the FixOurFood research programme and support an ongoing relationship between research and practice. Commissioners are committed to driving food system change in Yorkshire across key areas of: local procurement, environmentally beneficial farming and whole school approaches to food and nutrition' We look forward to seeing the action plans and supporting the council in realising their plans #NorthYorks #FoodStrategy #Nutrition #Yorkshire #Healthy #EatWell #CircularFoodEconomies Rebecca Newman, Ioan Fazey, Sam Buckton, Angela Crossland HonMFPH,

Yorkshire: getting a sense of place In the pursuit of a regenerative food system, knowing our region’s ecological and agricultural framework is vital. Using our AgriFoodPy package, along with data from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and Ordnance Survey, FixOurFood’s researchers Sam Buckton and Juan Pablo Cordero have generated land use maps of Yorkshire. The maps reveal the rich agricultural variety and unique natural landscapes across the region. With tools like AgriFoodPy, the team is connecting us to the land’s true potential—from arable farms to Yorkshire's river-fed cities. It’s a step forward in transforming food systems and encouraging nature-positive land use. Read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eaUfHPxV Read more about AgriFoodPy: https://lnkd.in/enXmn-YT #SustainableAgriculture #Yorkshire #FixOurFood Land use map of the Yorkshire region, UK. The original pixel scale is 25 m. Image produced by Juan Pablo Cordero and Sam Buckton using AgriFoodPy and QGIS, based upon Land Cover Map 2023 © UKCEH 2024. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright 2007, License number 100017572.