Food sustainability and security
As the global population grows, ensuring everyone has access to enough nutritious food that is safe to eat, is increasingly challenging.
Natural resources are being consumed at unprecedented rates, water supplies are unpredictable, and increasing affluence has encouraged the production of resource-intensive foods such as meat and dairy.
We work with industry, government and academic communities to move towards guaranteeing food security at local, national and international levels. Natural and social scientists are collaborating with industry and government to develop sustainable solutions to improving food security, focusing on:
- Sustainable food production
- Supply chain resilience
- Food and the consumer
Related links
Our research centres are shaping the food security agenda.
20
Major collaborative projects since 2015
15
Departments and centres involved
Over £15m
Food-related research income in recent years
N8 AgriFood
N8 AgriFood, led by the University of York, is a collaborative and interdisciplinary programme between eight research-intensive universities in the North of England, working to ensure sustainable, resilient and healthy food supplies for all.
Case studies
Research at the University of York recognises the importance of looking at the entire food production system from farm to fork.
Healthier food, healthier planet
We received £6m to investigate the role of food systems on child and environmental health.
Food systems resilience
IKnowFood explores food resilience on farms, in supply chains and among consumers.
Sustainable Yorkshire
BioYorkshire will deliver a bold new green agenda to boost the regional economy.
Food and energy production
We're supporting East African agricultural communities through the use of solar power.
Improving amaranth varieties
We're developing new varieties with improved nutritional content and agronomic traits.
Consumption in the Global South
We're exploring sustainable consumption and agri-food ethics in the Global South.
Highlights
- A team of scientists has created a new modified wheat variety that increases grain production by up to 12 per cent.
- A York researcher helped the Co-op develop their vision and strategy for a sustainable and ethical future.
- Professor Bob Doherty discussed the role of the pandemic on food security during YorkTalks.
Influencing policy
To ensure our research has a real-world impact our researchers inform policy at local, national and international levels on issues such as food poverty, climate change and Covid-19.
Covid and international trade
A York researcher gave evidence to the International Trade Committee.
National Food Strategy
Our researchers hosted a trial Citizen Food Assembly which fed into the National Food Strategy.
Tackling food poverty
Our experts developed a report with the York Food Justice Alliance to tackle food poverty.
Key contacts
- Professor Neil Bruce - Director of the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP)
- Professor Katherine Denby - Academic Director of the N8 Agrifood Resilience Programme
- Professor Bob Doherty - Chair of Agrifood at York and Sustainable Food Theme Lead at the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI)
- Professor Ian Graham - Director of BioYork and BioYorkshire
Related links
Our research centres are shaping the food security agenda.