Today, after nearly two years of The Food Conversation, the UK’s largest citizen deliberation about food, we 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 involving hundreds of people. The participants heard directly from experts, explored complex problems and trade-offs, and weighed potential solutions. In addition to these conversations, we developed a toolkit for any community to use and 70 community conversations have happened so far.

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 include:

• 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 FFCC, 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.”