Mapping the UK food system

This is the inaugural report from the ‘Transforming the UK food system for healthy people and a healthy environment’ SPF programme. The report maps and quantifies the UK food system and details the value of the agri-food sector and the multiple challenges it faces.

(You can view PDF documents by downloading a PDF reader. We recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers.)

Download - Mapping the UK food system

Waste not want not: What are the problems of food waste in the supply chain and how can we fix them?

Dr Ciara Dangerfield discusses the outputs of her GFS-funded workshop that explored where food loss and waste occur across the supply chain, and how the scientific community can address these issues to make our food system less wasteful.

Read more - Waste not want not: What are the problems of food waste in the supply chain and how can we fix them?

Unpack a game, unpack the world? Exploring the future of South African fruit with game design

If the fruit sector were a game, what would it be like? Monopoly – rich get richer, poor get poorer? Snakes and Ladders – it’s all down to luck? Dungeons and Dragons – highly complex and best directed by experts? Or maybe like Twister – needing strength and flexibility?

Read more - Unpack a game, unpack the world? Exploring the future of South African fruit with game design

UK agriculture benefits from nearly £2 million support towards sustainability improvement

With a rapidly increasing global population set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 coupled with environmental change, the challenge of feeding the world has never been greater. Making UK farming more resilient and sustainable will improve the UK’s ability to feed itself, while also benefitting the global food system more broadly.

Read more - UK agriculture benefits from nearly £2 million support towards sustainability improvement

Food security finalists listed for prestigious BBSRC Innovator of the Year awards

Five innovation projects that directly seek to enhance food security have been shortlisted for the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council’s (BBSRC) prestigious Innovator of the Year awards. BBSRC leads on the Global Food Security programme, which is hosted by UK Research and Innovation.

Read more - Food security finalists listed for prestigious BBSRC Innovator of the Year awards

Insight, issue six: Paris-compliant healthy food systems

GFS Insight aims to offer a balanced and interdisciplinary representation of the current state of knowledge in a particular area relating to food security. This issue outlines the need for a food system that supports both health and the Paris climate agreement, exploring impacts of food production and consumption as well as potential interventions to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions across the system.

(You can view PDF documents by downloading a PDF reader. We recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers.)

Download - Insight, issue six: Paris-compliant healthy food systems

Alternatives to conventional pesticides: understanding the efficacy and unintended consequences of a change in practice

Pesticides provide numerous benefits, yet pressures on their use has led to industry exploring other viable options for pest, weed and disease management. This report examines the challenges of using alternatives to conventional pesticides, and highlights future research priorities for biopesticides and Integrated Pest Management strategies.

(You can view PDF documents by downloading a PDF reader. We recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers.)

Download - Alternatives to conventional pesticides: understanding the efficacy and unintended consequences of a change in practice