A New Chapter Begins with the Centre for Equitable and Inclusive Food Systems
Posted on 15 December 2025
From L to R: FSI Director Peter Noy; Paula Freehan, FoodRise; Caitlin Mahoney, Bite Back; Professor Anne Toboulic, Centre Director
In October, we marked World Food Day 2025 with the launch of a new Centre dedicated to bringing together diverse food system actors and amplifying their collective impact and voices. Our Centre Director, Professor Anne Touboulic reflects on the launch and outlines the next steps for the Centre as we go into 2026.
We were thrilled to welcome colleagues, partners, and community members to the official launch of the Centre for Equitable and Inclusive Food Systems that took place over lunch on 15th October 2025. The event marked the beginning of a bold, collaborative journey to support food systems transformation, putting equity and inclusivity at the fore.
The Centre is committed to supporting transitions to food systems that benefit both society and nature, locally and globally. We aim to:
- Challenge dominant narratives and practices
- Amplify marginalised voices
- Co-create meaningful initiatives
- Translate research into policy and action
- Foster partnerships rooted in shared values
The Centre is organised around key hubs of expertise, namely:
We are building on strong foundations of research and collaboration in the East Midlands, including partnerships with Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Sustainable Food Partnerships, Nottingham City Council , The UoN Edible Campus community, and organisations such as FoodRise, BiteBack, Himmah, the Food Ethics Council and more.
We welcomed two of our partners to deliver Spotlight Talks during the event.
Paula Feehan – FoodRise
Paula highlighted the urgent need to address the true cost of food systems, which globally amounts to $10 trillion in hidden impacts. Her call to action: challenge institutions, norms, and practices to build fairer systems.
Caitlin Mahoney – BiteBack
Caitlin showcased the power of youth-led advocacy. BiteBack’s campaigns, including Fuel Us, Don’t Fool Us, expose junk food marketing and push for policy change. Their research reveals how advertising disproportionately targets deprived communities and surrounds schools.
2025-26 Theme: Youth
We’re centering young people in our work this year—supporting their voices, ideas, and leadership in shaping the future of food systems.
Our plans in 2026 and opportunities to get involved
Co-creating what’s next
We invite you to share your ideas for the Centre’s future! Fill in the feedback form available here
Become Academic Lead on a funded project with Foodrise
We are developing a partnership with the advocacy charity Foodrise as part of its vision to support transitions towards food systems that work better for people and planet.
As part of their nitrogen fertilisers campaign, Foodrise have recently launched their new report ‘Exhausted Earth’ and have successfully secured some funding to work with an academic team to carry out some research in early 2026 to take the campaign to the next level.
We are working with Foodrise to appoint an Academic Lead for this project. If this of interest, please fill in this short EOI form by 17th December 2025 midday.
Showcase your work through the Centre
We are keen to spread the word about all the great research and work that is happening at Nottingham, internally but also through our social media channels.
If you are interested in working with us to showcase your work, please register your interest here.
Stay Connected
We will be organising events in 2026 including a webinar and a series of workshop-style discussions facilitated by colleagues across UoN and will be sending out more information from January onwards.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Follow us, collaborate, and help us build a food system that works for everyone.