What do we really think about Food? Revolutionising what we eat with Sue Pritchard of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission
Apr 17, 2024
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Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, advocates for a transformative shift in our food systems. She dives into the significance of community engagement and education in creating healthier, sustainable food choices. Pritchard critiques the current capitalist model, emphasizing its negative impact on public health and wealth inequality. She discusses the need for robust food governance reforms and highlights the importance of regenerative agriculture and collective action to achieve food justice and security.
Total systemic change is essential for addressing the looming biophysical crisis associated with our current food production and consumption practices.
The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission aims to unify diverse voices to reshape equitable and sustainable food policies in the UK post-Brexit.
Empowering communities through 'Food Conversations' helps dismantle misleading narratives in the food industry and promotes informed choices for healthier food options.
Deep dives
The Importance of Systemic Change
Total systemic change is identified as a crucial belief that is necessary to avoid falling into a biophysical crisis. The focus is on the need for a just transition rather than maintaining the status quo until it potentially leads to catastrophic results. Discussions emphasize the urgency to reconfigure our systems, particularly in food production, as maintaining ‘business as usual’ is no longer viable. This mindset encourages engagement with people who not only understand systemic issues but are also taking tangible actions toward creating meaningful changes.
Food, Farming, and Countryside Commission Overview
The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) was established in response to the Brexit vote, aiming to unify voices for sustainable food systems in the UK. This organization prioritizes the intersection of climate, nature, and health crises, recognizing systemic changes in food production as essential for addressing these challenges. The FFCC's mission is driven by a diverse group of commissioners, highlighting the importance of community engagement in shaping more equitable and sustainable food policies. Their work includes producing reports and engaging in dialogues to give voice to citizen perspectives on food systems.
Engaging Communities Through Conversations
The FFCC has initiated 'Food Conversations' aimed at educating ordinary people on the complexities surrounding food systems. These well-structured discussions facilitate interactions among community members, helping to disseminate important insights about sustainable food practices. Participants learn to identify and challenge misleading narratives propagated by the food industry, fostering a more informed public. This empowerment encourages communities to prioritize healthful food options that are sustainable and align with the values of food justice.
Addressing Commercialization and Health Risks
Current food systems have become increasingly commercialized, with large corporations prioritizing profits at the expense of health and environmental sustainability. The podcast highlights the need for regulations that protect public health against the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods. A critical examination of the existing food system reveals that focusing on citizen needs, such as access to nutritious whole foods, is necessary to drive meaningful change. By emphasizing this, citizens are encouraged to actively engage in local food initiatives that promote healthier alternatives.
Moving Toward Agroecological Solutions
The conversation highlights agroecology as a vital approach for transforming food systems to be more equitable and sustainable. Agroecological practices prioritize the health of ecosystems and local communities, focusing on sustainable production methods. While regenerative practices are recognized as crucial, they must be supported by a broader understanding of agroecology to ensure comprehensive systemic change. The need for collaborative governance and public engagement is emphasized, indicating that inclusive and just policies are essential for fostering a resilient food landscape.
We're told so often that people 'don't want the nanny state to intervene' in what we eat or drink or smoke - and often the people saying this are those who employ literal nannies to raise their children. But is it true? What would we learn if someone courageous, with vision, depth and care were to find ways to ask ordinary people what they really feel? #TheFoodConversation is huge - in scope and depth and duration - but more in terms of what it teaches us about how people actually feel, what they actually think, and the massive difference that we can make by helping ordinary people to understand more about how food could be healthy, nutritious and affordable - as opposed to how it is now.
If you've listened to previous episodes of this podcast, you'll know that total systemic change is one of our foundational beliefs: it's coming whether we like it or not and we'd like to manage a just transition rather than waiting to see what arises from the ashes if we keep pushing business as usual until our entire bus dives over the edge of the biophysical cliff.
And so we are always on the lookout for people who not only think systemically, but who get it; who aren't just talking the talk, but who are making things happen on the ground that will lead us all closer to the tipping points of change. Sue Pritchard is one of these people. She's the Chief Executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, leading the organisation in its mission to bring together people across the UK and the world to act on the climate, nature and health crises, through fairer and more sustainable food systems, and a just transition for rural communities and the countryside.
She is a Trustee of CoFarm Foundation and is an independent Governor at Royal Agricultural University. Sue lives an organic farm in Wales, where she and her family raise livestock and farm for conservation.