Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Key action areas for transforming the UK food system: insights from the Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) Programme project portfolio

S. Bridle; Kelly Parsons; Guy Poppy; Tracey Duncombe; Lynn V. Dicks; Bob Doherty; Alex Johnstone; C. Reynolds; C. Wagstaff; Fergus Lyon; S. Buckton; Ben Dare; Martin White; Christopher Yap; Roya Shahrokni; R. Bhunnoo; Hannah Mitchell; I. Fazey; Dominic Moran; Christopher Turner; Jonathan Beacham; John Ingram; Peter Jackson; R. Wells; Katherine J Denby; Tom Macmillan; J. Brunstrom; Maria Bryant

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences · 2025

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Summary

This evidence synthesis from the Transforming UK Food Systems Programme identifies 27 actionable areas for reforming the UK food system to address interconnected crises in public health, cost of living, climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. The paper emphasises place-based, co-produced, and action-oriented research spanning production through consumption, with particular stress on the governance and policy frameworks—both national and regionally differentiated—necessary to enable such transformation. The work underscores that resilient, equitable, and regenerative food systems require sustained engagement with food system actors and affected citizens.

Regional applicability

This study is directly applicable to United Kingdom policy and practice, as it was conducted within the UK context and explicitly addresses the UK food system and its governance structures. The findings specifically note the importance of regional approaches that account for geographically varying cultural circumstances and values within the UK, making them relevant for devolved administrations and local food system initiatives.

Key measures

27 action areas grouped across five thematic domains; emphasis on governance structures, co-production mechanisms, and policy recommendations

Outcomes reported

The study identified and synthesised 27 suggested action areas for food system transformation across five thematic areas (production, manufacturing, supply chain, consumption, and enabling factors). The findings emphasise the need for co-production with food system actors and the critical role of governance and policy in supporting transformation at both national and regional levels.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Policy
Study design
Policy report
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.1098/rstb.2024.0166
Catalogue ID
NRmontfj6j-002

Topic tags

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