The UK public's interests, needs and concerns around food
Research by the Bright Harbour Collective, in partnership with AndGood and Esposito Research and Strategy, for the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland
We are proud to share the findings of our recent research for the FSA and FSS exploring the public’s needs, interests and concerns around food, and deeply gratified to see the public’s priorities so quickly being taken on board into FSA/FSS Strategy and thinking.
Our research represents the experiences of c. 100 qualitative participants and 6175 survey respondents. It explores the challenges and concerns facing people across the UK - including, most seriously, the cost of living crisis, rising food insecurity, and increasingly pressured decision making around food - and identifies the key priorities that UK people want food system decision makers to look after on their behalf.
Enabling equitable access to safe, affordable, healthy food
Ensuring high-quality food safety, hygiene and standards
Guiding fair, ethical and sustainable food systems and futures
Making it easier to access and choose healthy, nutritious food
Findings and data tables have been fully available to anyone who would benefit from knowing more about the UK public's current context and key priorities for food decision makers:
15 minute key findings digest and 'Stories' from the public on our Medium page (or get in touch to request a pdf version)
Full report, technical report, accessible 'stories' and full data tables available from the FSA
Updated FSA Strategy for 2022-2027 available here
In part based on the findings of this research, the FSA has committed to playing its part in helping to make food healthier and more sustainable for everyone, and to considering the impact of inequalities and food security in everything they do. We are deeply grateful to the board for taking such an evidence based approach to its policy work, and to its deep listening to the lived experiences of the UK people.
