• Strong public mandate for action to change the way that food is eaten, grown and produced in the UK

• Widespread shared values across the UK when it comes to food; fairness, care, responsibility and localism

• Findings show people understand that the food system has become complicated and yet reject simplistic ‘consumer choice’ narratives in favour of systemic solutions that address underlying power imbalances

• Government Food Strategy is a unique opportunity to listen to, and work with, UK citizens

Today, after nearly two years of The Food Conversation, the UK’s largest citizen deliberation about food, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) publish 'A Citizen Mandate for Change'. It reveals a strong public mandate for action to change the way that food is eaten, grown and produced in the UK.

The findings are the result of conversations which happened in 12 places across the UK. The participants heard directly from experts, explored complex problems and trade-offs, and weighed potential solutions. In addition to these conversations, FFCC developed a toolkit for any community to use – 70 conversations have already happened.

People care about what they eat and where it comes from. They want government to act on failings in the food system. As well as consensus on the kinds of changes citizens want to see, there are a consistent set of values transcending regional and demographic difference.

These core values transcend both regional and socioeconomic differences:

• Fairness – citizens want government to tackle power imbalances for a fairer system

• Care – citizens prioritise policies that protect the vulnerable, including children

• Responsibility – citizens want government and industry to be accountable in their actions and to protect people and planet

• Localism – people recognise that healthy and sustainable food and farming is crucial to resilient and flourishing communities

People understand that the food system has become complicated and yet reject simplistic ‘consumer choice’ narratives in favour of systemic solutions that address underlying power imbalances.

With consultations and legislation underway in all four UK nations – including England’s incoming Food Strategy, Scotland’s Good Food Nation Plan, Wales’ Future Generations Act, and Northern Ireland’s Food Strategy Framework – the message from The Food Conversation is clear. The public want a rethink of the food system – and want it transformed to work for everyone – families, farmers, communities and the planet.

Citizens want to help solve these knotty and complex problems. With this new Food Strategy consultation, there is now a powerful opportunity for governments and citizens to work together towards a healthier, fairer and more secure food future.

Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive at the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, says,

“After two years of talking and listening to citizens in the Food Conversation, we know a lot more about what people really want from food. Food connects all of us. Talking about food together quickly reveals how important food is in all aspects of our lives, from our health and wellbeing to the state of the countryside, on climate and nature, to our trading relationships with other countries. They agree : enough healthy, safe food for everyone, fairly and sustainably produced, is the bedrock of a secure and resilient society.

Through The Food Conversation, citizens have prioritised policies that ensure the food system works better for everyone, for a healthier, greener, fairer future. Now, they’re calling on leaders to grasp the nettle on food policy and make it their mission to fix food.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

More at: https://ffcc.co.uk/publications/a-citizen-mandate-for-change

Media Enquiries: rebecca.renfro@ffcc.co.uk

About the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission:

FFCC is an independent charity, set up in 2017 to help shape the future of food, farming, land use and the countryside. Following the success of its landmark report, Our Future in the Land, in July 2019, the Commission became an independent charitable organisation in early 2020. Its purpose is to bring together people and ideas to find practical and radical solutions to tackle the climate, nature, health and economic crises of our time. It curates research and evidence, involves citizens in deliberation, and tells inspiring stories of action by people and businesses in communities around the UK.

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