The Food Foundation Podcast

In this major new podcast series as part of The Food Foundation, Veg Power and Beans in How's three-year mission to get the UK eating more beans, chef and writer Melissa Hemsley shows us how these little powerhouses of goodness are so good for our health, good for the planet and such good news for stretched family budgets.In this first episode, Ian Theasby, one half of the super-influencer recipe developer and food writing team, BOSH! tells us how and why supermarkets can change the conversation about beans; Dr Jo Lunn, head nutritionist at Waitrose takes us behind the scene to show us what's happening in the aisles of power; and Food Foundation ambassador Jani Clarke and her Nan and Grandad try out BOSH!'s Ultimate Chilli recipe - and it more than lives up to the hype.You can find the recipe for BOSH!'s Ultimate Chilli here and more delicious bean recipes here.Sign up to our newsletter to ensure you get all our updates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lively deep dive into why beans matter for health, the planet and tight budgets. Conversations cover bean innovation, athletes embracing plant-forward diets, and compounds like L-dopa linked to mood. Live recipe demos and taste reactions bring practical, everyday bean cooking to life.

Katherine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance tells us about the new nutrient profile model that has finally been published by the government, and the very real consequences of how food and drink will be advertised and promoted, especially to children.Click here to sign up for The Food Foundation newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leticija Petrovic, the local food policy lead at the Food Foundation leads a panel discussion about school food, what works to improve school food menus and children’s nutrition, and what we can learn from what is already happening on the ground.The discussion is inspired by a new research project led by the University of Birmingham, and the panel includes: Dr Katie Edwards, research fellow in Psychology at the University of Birmingham; Sarah Newton, who leads the food system team in Public Health Division at Birmingham City Council as well as the Birmingham Food System strategy, and is a driving force behind Birmingham Food Revolution; and Sian Kidd, Food Security Engagement Officer at Monmouthshire County Council. Sian is also the founder and director of Secret Soup Society, a social enterprise working to reduce food waste and provide healthy, nutritious food for the community.Click here for more information on the University of Birmingham research, here for Birmingham's Food System strategy, and here for Chwedlau Bwyd, the creative food education programme that was delivered for Year 3 pupils in primary schools across Monmouthshire.Click here for the Food Foundation  newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lively dive into why the UK needs more fibre and a campaign to double bean consumption. Discussion of fibre's role in reducing major health risks and rising social buzz around Fibre February. Focus on beans as a powerful, accessible fibre source and plans for recipes, pledges, and a new bean-themed podcast series.

As food assistance goes digital, vulnerable people risk being shut out. Iris Lim, postdoctoral researcher from SOAS University of London tells us about her research into the barriers people face in accessing support and the overlaps between digital poverty and food poverty.Join us on 12 February to dive deeper at an event with the SOAS research team - you can attend either in person or online. Register for free here and read the SOAS research in full hereTo catch the latest updates from The Food Foundation, sign up for our newsletter here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Food Foundation tells us about our latest film project which gives a vision of great school food for all children across the country.The Lunch They Deserve is a film by The Tin Bear Project and presented by Emma Thompson and the Food Foundation's Young Ambassadors, gives us a vision of school food that is nourishing and tasty, where our school food is a source of national pride, and of a country where kids are fuelled and ready to learn because of the food they have eaten. Click to sign up for the Food Foundation newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Stark, Senior Research and Policy Manager at Eating Better, discusses vital reforms in the UK's food system, aided by a coalition of 160 organizations. He emphasizes the importance of a coherent food policy that aligns health, environment, and trade. Stark advocates for 17 recommendations, including affordable, culturally suitable diets and sustainable farming practices. He also highlights the need for a Food Bill to cement these priorities into law, aiming for a fairer food system and engaging citizens in the policy-making process.

Katherine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, discusses new restrictions on junk food advertising aimed at protecting children. She highlights the troubling link between junk food marketing and unhealthy eating habits. Jenner explains how these restrictions aim to change the food environment rather than place the burden on children. She addresses enforcement challenges and industry influence, critiquing loopholes in brand exemptions. Ultimately, she calls for stronger regulations to ensure children are better protected from harmful advertising.

Dan Parker, Chief Executive of Veg Power, champions healthier eating among children. He discusses the Families and Food Task Force's research revealing families dine together over five times a week, though this frequency doesn’t guarantee more vegetable consumption. Parker shares insights on the importance of mealtime for bonding and communication, the challenges families face in maintaining healthy meals, and shares Veg Power's exciting initiatives planned for 2026 to inspire joyful family dining and better nutritional habits.