Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield

?? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????????? ????????????????????????? This new policy brief, developed in anticipation of the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris by the Independent Expert Panel on Nutrition, outlines key recommendations for tackling malnutrition. The document emphasises the urgent need for action and provides a roadmap for achieving better nutrition outcomes globally. ??? Key topics addressed in the brief include: Investing in cost-effective nutrition interventions through health systems, particularly focusing on the first 1,000 days of life.? Transforming agrifood systems to prioritise access to healthy diets for all.? Expanding nutrition-sensitive social protection programmes to support vulnerable populations.? Ensuring mandatory education for girls and transforming school-based school feeding programmes into true school nutrition programmes.? Targeting WASH interventions to communities with high malnutrition prevalence and those most affected by climate change. ?? This document is convened by the Paris Peace Forum and led by Shawn Baker of Helen Keller Intl., and includes ATNI's Executive Director Greg S Garrett and Brieuc PONT France's Special Envoy on Nutrition and Secretary General of the Nutrition for Growth Summit. These policy recommendations are a call to action for governments, civil society, and private sector leaders to start tackling malnutrition head-on. ?? Read the full document here: https://lnkd.in/eaRFz4VR #NutritionForGrowth #ParisPeaceForum #GlobalNutrition?#N4Gsummit ?? With the generous participation of: UNICEF; World Health Organization; United Nations and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement;FAO; World Food Programme; The World Bank; Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), AMREF; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University and University of Toronto; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and CGIAR; ACTION CONTRE LA FAIM; The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University The Global Nutrition Report; University of Colorado; University of Ghana; International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield; Institute of Nutrition Mahidol University; University of Reading, ; Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement

Fantastic news for Professor Bhavani Shankar, who has joined United Against Malnutrition and Hunger as their new Expert Adviser.

Last week, Sheffield researchers, Professor Phil Withington and Dr Nicholas Groat teamed up with the #BeingHumanFestival to host the 'Pints of Interest: Pubs as social landmarks' event- a discussion and debate on the history and future of the pub in our iconic city. Hosted at The Tap at Sheffield Station, a crowd of 60 people filled the pub’s backroom to learn about the project and listen to an invited panel of publicans and punters discuss the relationship between pubs and community. Panel member Jacob Nickles, ex-proprietor of The Red Deer and H3 Research Fellow, said, “As an ex-publican (now embedded in The University of Sheffield), it was lovely to revisit my time at the pub and what made The Red Deer a special place to operate. The discourse around safe spaces and the ongoing role of pubs as community hubs was invigorating and the event highlighted to me the secret ‘social asset’ status of these venues. I look forward to seeing this project progress, particularly the Place, Craft, Alcohol oral histories work currently underway.” Read more about the event here ?? https://lnkd.in/e4VrRbyk

We’re continuing to highlight the impact of our research at the Institute for Sustainable Food during #COP29. Today’s theme at #COP29 is Food, Water and Agriculture. Researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Food and Energy Institute at the University of Sheffield are working with Future Greens, a Sheffield-based SME specialising in controlled-environment agriculture, on a research project designed to improve the sustainability of growing food. The project aims to reduce dependency on current synthetic fertilisers in the UK farming industry, which have become an economic and environmental concern. Unlike traditional farming systems that grow crops in soil, hydroponics uses vertical water-based systems to quickly grow plants like leafy green vegetables. Earlier this year it was announced that The University of Sheffield will co-lead a new ￡38 million centre to develop planet-friendly alternatives to animal proteins that could soon be a sustainable and nutritious part of our diets. “With a growing world population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for protein and the need for people to have access to a safe, nutritious diet will continue to rise. However, for this to be sustainable, it's imperative we find ways to meet this demand by supplementing traditional animal agriculture with alternative protein sources including from plants and other sources.” - says Louise Dye, Co-Director at the Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield. The University of Sheffield will lead on the centre’s research to deliver alternatives that offer benefits for health, and which are affordable and appealing to the public. Our researchers will also identify new business opportunities for farmers and producers, and work to future-proof the UK’s protein supply against reliance on imports. Read more about both studies in the comment section below.

During #COP29 we're proud to highlight the impact of our research at the Institute for Sustainable Food. Our researchers' findings have discovered lone parents and people with long term health conditions are some of the most vulnerable to food insecurity. “It is perhaps unsurprising that those in our communities who are members of lower-income households experience forms of food insecurity, but what was less known however was that lone parents, or those with long-term health conditions and food hypersensitivities, are more likely to experience more severe forms of food insecurity, yet may be unable to access help from emergency food providers.” - Dr Elisabeth Garratt, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Education. There are now calls for policymakers to urgently strengthen support for those in need, and prioritise the development of a robust UK food strategy to tackle food insecurity. #foodinsecurity #sheffield Read more below: https://lnkd.in/egMg8wPy

A recent collaborative workshop delivered by researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Food?and?the Culinaria Research Centre?at the University of Toronto, delved into the fascinating world of global food provisioning. The?'Histories & Geographies: Circulating Food & Drink Around Global Provisioning'?event was a two-day hybrid workshop that explored how food systems function across the globe both historically and today. Professor Siobhan Lambert-Hurley and Professor Phil Withington, both from the The University of Sheffield's School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, attended and were key speakers at the event. Professor Withington said: "It was clear from our visit to Toronto that there are strong synergies between Culinaria and ISF. Both bring together wide-ranging interdisciplinary expertise; both seek to understand food systems and practices in the past and the present; and both are committed to enabling food sustainability, security, and equity in the future." Find out more about the event and the connection between the two universities ?? https://lnkd.in/esiVRPuA

Cook & Connect: Strengthening Communities Through Food event Last week, researchers from the H3: Healthy Soil, Healthy Food and Healthy People project,?the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems?and?Sheffield Hallam University Food?Research Cluster, hosted two free cooking classes exploring the use of nutritious, affordable and versatile ingredients. The 'Cook & Connect: Strengthening Communities Through Food' event was held at the Blend Culinary Foundation and ran as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. Over the two days, 30 people attended the two-hour sessions, learning how to cook a variety of dishes using beans and lentils. Extra portions of the food cooked during the sessions were contributed to the stock that Blend Family distributed to local hospitals and foodbanks. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, to the 12 dedicated volunteers from The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and the University of Leeds, and to Niki and Wendy from Blend Culinary Foundation for their incredible leadership, coordination and prep work! Read more about the event in the comment section below. Blend Family #BlendCulinaryFoundation, Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, See it Be it in Sheffield, Food Works Sheffield, S6 Foodbank, Louise Dye, Peter Jackson, Tracey McNeilly

Free school meal pilots in York could be extended to two further schools next year following initial research into the impact of the meals. Researchers from The University of Sheffield, University of Leeds and University of York, published interim evaluations of the City of York Council ‘York Hungry Minds’ pilot which began in January 2024, running at Burton Green Primary School and Westfield Primary Community School. The pilots were set up to test the delivery of Universal Free School Meals in addressing disadvantage and the cost of living crisis. The research highlights a positive impact on pupil attendance, punctuality, and behaviour. Improved focus and energy levels were also observed, indicating a positive impact on the wellbeing, happiness and mental health of pupils. Read more about the project ?? https://lnkd.in/eP88Fkqk #YorkHungryMinds #FreeSchoolMeals Louise Dye

We’re thrilled to open Expressions of Interest for Watch Parties, Learning Labs, and Side Events for the upcoming Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy Week 2025!?? ? Join a global community of #Agriculture, #FoodSystems, #Nutrition and #Health enthusiasts:? ? ?? Learning Labs: Submit your ideas for training workshops with specific learning outcomes in interdisciplinary skills: https://lnkd.in/eDQn6Fvc ??? Side Events: Host a unique event – no specific learning outcomes required: https://lnkd.in/e69r3H7b ?? Watch Parties: Bring the community together by streaming ANH2025 sessions live for in-person participation near you: https://lnkd.in/etJXa3iR ? Submissions open until January 10, 2025 (except Watch Parties, which are open until further notice).? ? Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/g8rejv_K #ANH2025 #FoodEnvironment #Nutrition #FoodSecurity #Research Sokoine University of Agriculture, The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London, William A. Masters

Last month, our researchers demonstrated a bespoke hydroponic growth system created inside a bike trailer as part of an interactive exhibit. The Journey of Life Lates event aimed to address some of the big questions in global health and highlighted how poverty and poor soil quality can lead to malnutrition and impact development. The team consisted of Jacob Nickles, H3 Research Fellow, Dr Moaed Al Meselmani, Researcher and Toby Evans, PhD Research Student. Event attendees were able to learn about what hydroponics is and how it works, and why these systems are essential in water/nutrient poor environments. Read more about the exhibit ?? https://lnkd.in/e3ciKyyB