The Future of Food Symposium 2023

Heap of Compost from fruit and vegetables
Conference / Exhibition

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Wednesday 24 May 2023 to Thursday 25 May 2023

09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Location

CC 1.3 Techno Centre, Coventry University, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT

Event details

You are invited to the 4th Future of Food Symposium event: Examining the role of food as a vehicle for societal change.

Abstract

The Symposium focuses on the food insecure position of households across the UK and the organisations supporting them. From food provisioning services, to the capturing and distribution of surpluses, to the guidance and help offered to improve food knowledge and nutrition, and the work of those offering alternative means of producing and accessing food, this event provides a space to share, reflect and progress in moving towards a more sustainable food system for all.

This event recognises that food is an important medium through which the life prospects of the most vulnerable groups in society can be furthered. Organisations at the centre of critical work are not only alleviating food insecurity but providing training and social experiences as well as encouraging and showcasing more sustainable community food practices.

We invite practitioners, policy makers, community leaders, organisations and funders tackling food poverty, as well as researchers working in this field to join us.

The event will explore:

  • How community organisations can navigate the access and provision of healthy, nutritious food made from good quality ingredients.
  • How community organisations can use food as a vehicle to enhance the lives of people within their communities.
  • The role of community organisations in capturing and utilising surplus food.
  • Important working being undertaken to reverse nutritional inequality.
  • The role of alternative food providers in a more sustainable and just food system.
  • The merits and drawbacks of a range of income generation models and pathways towards greater financial independence.

The 2023 Future of Food Symposium Committee:

Jordon Lazell (Essex Business School, University of Essex)

Marsha Smith and David Bek (Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University)

Lopa Saxena and Professor Moya Kneafsey (Centre for Agro-ecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University)

Jade Basford and Clare Horrell (The Real Farming Trust)

John Harvey (Nottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham)

  • 2 Keynote speeches:

    • A Keynote speech from Dr Clare Pettinger, University of Plymouth
    • A lived experience keynote speech from service users 

    6 themed sessions

    • Innovation in Surplus Food Services
    • Nutrition and Nutritional Insecurity
    • A sustainable future for the community food sector?
    • What makes an effective surplus food network?
    • Rights based approaches
    • Ensuring equitable food access: Moving towards more sustainable and dignified food solutions

    Findings shared from two innovative research projects

    • The Ready Healthy Eat project – Improving the nutritional value of food provision to vulnerable groups
    • Supporting Frontline Community-based Organisations in the Fight Against Hunger in the East Midlands

    3 panel debates

    • Integrating the alternative within the conventional: What does a sustainable food system look like?
    • Two further panel debates where keyholders share their experiences of tackling food poverty from the above research projects

    A number of smaller breakout engagement exercises

    • Practitioners share their insight and tips on topics such as citizenship and self-advocacy, setting up a social eating event and running a social supermarket, amongst other topics.

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