Working up an appetite for deep and urgent transformation of our food systems
The way we produce, consume and value food is pushing the planet beyond its limits. We know that we need a deeper transformation of the underlying models for how we grow, move, eat, and make a profit from food.
As Forum for the Future’s Global Food Transition Lead Geraldine Gilbert notes, change is happening. But what’s giving us hope and what’s holding us back from a truly just and regenerative food system?
The latest #ForumFoodSpotlight explores two critical areas: how changemakers are scaling a just and regenerative food supply, and the importance of reframing food narratives to go beyond narrow goals to more holistic, transformative change.
Take a moment to explore how we might achieve a future with safe, nutritious and affordable food for all, produced in just and regenerative ways
Reframing food narratives
Many of the dominant narratives in our food system tend to focus on one priority alone—be it yield maximisation, low prices or reducing carbon emissions—often at the expense of other needs.
At Forum, we’re working to shift the conversation to more systemic, transformative change.
Regenerative food systems must go beyond becoming just another buzz term—at Forum, we work to ensure they bring lasting change for people and the planet. Through programmes like Growing our Future US, we are creating pathways for regenerative agriculture.
Growing our Future UK builds on this commitment by focusing on key food sectors such as orchards and dairy, with the aim of unlocking meaningful transformation. This includes innovative and equitable routes to market for farmers—Forum’s Senior Change Designer Kat Zscharnagk outlines the necessary changes needed to achieve this, from enhancing infrastructure to trialing different types of certifications. Forum’s Affiliate Valentina Toledo further shares how middle actors—wholesalers, distributors, processors—are key to driving a regenerative food system. Explore more.
Hear from changemakers shaping the future of food
All change starts with people. That’s why Forum works alongside a huge range of ambitious changemakers to reimagine the way the world works. As part of the #ForumFoodSpotlight, we asked just a few of our partners to reflect on the impact one of our flagship programmes, Growing our Future, is having.
Here’s what they said:
"There is such an elegant alignment between the goals of Growing our Future and FFAR. Forum for the Future has consistently been an excellent strategic partner through several FFAR initiatives and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future." Lakisha Odom, PhD, Scientific Program Director Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)
"Forum for the Future’s Growing our Future initiative team’s approach to program management, insight development, and professionalism has greatly influenced the project approach that ESMC has taken toward our IRJ and project management strategy." Doug Adams, Manager, Member Engagement & Equity at Ecosystems Services Market Consortium (ESMC)
"The Growing our Future Programme does a great job fostering relationships across an industry, which sows the seeds for support networks and collaboration to drive the change we need to see." Peter Wortsman, Partner at European Food and Farming Partnerships (EFFP)
The Futures Centre
Putting equity on the menu: signs of an emerging regenerative food system
As climate change, conflict, and social inequality reshape our food systems, we face a crucial question: can we build a more equitable and resilient food future? Forum's Futures Centre Strategist Siddhi Ashar explores how power dynamics in food production and distribution are determining the future of food—and the urgent need to reimagine them.
AI and the future of food: revolution, false hope, or wrecking ball?
Not many days seem to go by without AI’s emerging capabilities in the news. As with most technologies, whether AI is good or bad depends on how it gets used, by whom and to what end. How is this playing out in the world of food? Forum’s Global Food Transition Lead Geraldine Gilbert explores AI's potential in food system transformation and how it can be embraced to shape a regenerative future.
In BusinessGreen, Duncan Williams, Forum’s Principal - Regenerative Agriculture and Food, writes on why social sustainability is key to agriculture's green transition.
On Future Food Cast, Geraldine Gilbert, Forum’s Food Transition Lead, shares insights on the food transition.
The School of System Change
Sign up: School of System Change in Finance 2025
Want to be part of a growing movement of changemakers in finance? Then you’re invited to join the third School of System Change in Finance cohort, launched by Aviva Investors in partnership with Forum for the Future, School of System Change, and Edge Effects. Apply by 21 November.
A refreshed curriculum: Seven capabilities for systems change
Living by School principles of emergence and aliveness, CEO Anna Birney shares the refreshed curriculum — four learning outcomes and seven capabilities for systems change — informed by the past seven years of practice, inquiry, and learning with others. Read more.
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