Pineapple on pizza? Some products and issues generate polarised views.
Even on more serious subjects, we too often see an ‘us versus them’ mentality: farmers versus the environment, or food businesses versus campaigners. This often threatens to stymie progress, particularly in food policy. How can we instead foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and respect, rather than division and tribalism?
Community consensus
Polarised thinking and disrespect aren’t the recipes for better food futures. We won’t always agree, but most people share common values and a desire for a better future, for their families, communities and the planet.
If you ask the public what they want from our food systems, they of course have a range of different views on food security, economic growth, health and sustainability. However, given the chance to explore these issues together in more depth, a surprising amount of consensus emerges. This is evident from the Food Conversation – the largest public dialogue about food in the UK, coordinated by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission.
In my role as chair of the advisory group, I witnessed first-hand some of the citizen discussions. Even with a strict process to ensure the people involved were from a diverse range of backgrounds, there was much more unity than division in terms of what they felt needed to be done. The final results from this phase of the Food Conversation highlighted a strong mandate for change, with citizens calling for joined-up food leadership from government; real options for everyone; better food and less waste; a fairer deal for farmers; and flourishing local food.
I’m pleased that some of the citizens from the Food Conversation, alongside citizen ambassadors from the Food Foundation with lived or living experiences of food insecurity, will be involved in shaping England’s new food strategy. Note to government: please listen carefully to them.
Of course, engagement from food and farming businesses in shaping a national food strategy is important. However, the involvement of the public, community groups and civil society organisations is at least as important – as recognised in Wales’s new Community Food Strategy
Civil society is vital too. The Food Ethics Council’s survey of 130 civil society organisations involved in food and farming in the UK – Food Issues Census 2024-25 – found that 71% of them address root causes, suggesting they are filling gaps left by the government and other institutions.
Us vs them
So on a wider level, how can we move away from simplistic, Marmite-style (love them or hate them) thinking?
Firstly, recognise businesses are fundamentally made up of people with diverse roles and responsibilities. This people-centred approach fosters empathy and collaboration. Secondly, acknowledge mutual impact. Recognise that our actions have ripple effects on society and the environment. Collective responsibility drives sustainable practices. Thirdly, encourage inclusive dialogue that values different perspectives and experiences. This leads to holistic solutions that more can buy into.
If we look beyond trivial debates, and get into the complexities of everyone and everything that make up our food systems, there is most definitely the potential for both conflict and co-operation.
Most people aren’t inherently evil. They want things to be better, but may be trapped in particular ways of doing things or feel powerless. Let’s change that. There are food heroes in every walk of life: local authorities, school canteens, coffee shops, major grocery brands, charities, and beyond.
In a rapidly changing world, let’s make food systems about ‘us’, not ‘them’.
Dan Crossley, executive director at the Food Ethics Council
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