FoodSEqual – Communities in Brighton and Hove are part of a national project working towards a fairer, healthier food system and lasting food policy change.
The Food Systems Equality project (FoodSEqual) pulls together experiences from four different cities in the UK, to develop a better understanding of food inequality in less affluent communities. We are working towards a better food system for all.
FoodSEqual is a five year project with teams based in Brighton (with the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and the University of Sussex), Tower Hamlets (London), Reading and Plymouth. Community Researchers have been recruited from within these communities to engage and find out about the reality of people’s day to day food experiences. This information will enable FoodSEqual to work with people towards making positive change to our food system in terms of sustainability and equity.
University teams are working alongside Community Researchers to develop research methods. The scope of this project is broad, experts from many disciplines are involved, including the fields of Race and Gender studies, Environmental Science, Biomedical Science, Participatory Action Research, Supply Chain Logistics and more. It also links product developers, manufacturers, major food retailers as well as food-orientated not-for-profit organisations.
FoodSEqual is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Transforming UK Food Systems Strategic Priority Fund which works across multiple government departments and councils. Working across different teams allows the pooling of expertise and skills.
Why is this project important for Brighton and Hove?
Food insecurity affects health and happiness. Everyone should be able to access fresh, affordable food that enables them to live well – this isn’t the case in Brighton and Hove, the UK, nor the rest of the world. In Brighton and Hove average life expectancy can be up to 8 years lower in less affluent (deprived) areas compared to more affluent neighbourhoods. It is well known that diet is a big driver of ill health.
If you live in the places covered by this research, this is an opportunity to have your say and to share the realities of your food experiences. FoodSEqual creates space to look at the challenges (social, economic and environmental), the compromises (if any) people are making around food, and the impact of these. It is also a chance to explore what might be possible, with teams that are resourced to investigate different options and who are linked with industry professionals and policy makers. The food system has evolved to be what it is today, in a relatively short period of time; it can also evolve to be better.
The food system has a massive impact on environment, producing a third of global Green House Gas emissions, so for both the health of people and planet, we need to explore fairer, more sustainable ways of producing, accessing and sharing food.
“Never before has the role that the food system plays in both environmental and human health been so centre-stage.”
Professor Guy Poppy – TUKFS Programme Director
The Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Community Researchers have already started FoodSEqual research with the University of Sussex, and you can read about our findings in the next blog – sign up for our newsletter or watch our social media channels for more info. We will be helping to run more workshops in the future.
For more information about the project, or to be contacted about how to be involved in future workshops please contact:
Shelley@bhfood.bozboz.dev, 07935481677
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