Back in March, our student-led Film premiered at Yorkshire’s first ‘Food System Transformation Summit’ as part of their collaboration with the ‘FixOurFood’ campaign, in partnership with York University.

We became part of the ‘FixOurFood’ campaign in February 2023, as part of a 3 year programme. The campaign aims to make Yorkshire’s food system more sustainable. 

The ‘FixOurFood’ campaign aligns with our student’s current food technology curriculum and educates them on topics, such as reducing food waste, bulk buying, freezing food and portion control.

In February, representatives from the ‘FixOurFood’ campaign provided our students with a platform to create a student-led film that enabled them to share their thoughts, actions, and beliefs about the food served in their school. 

In March 2023, ‘FixOurFood’ hosted Yorkshire’s first ‘Food System Transformation Summit’ at the Harrogate Pavilions. The event showcased the exciting innovations, approaches, and strategies already being implemented to support the transformation of our food system in Yorkshire.

Some of our students who were in attendance reported feeling very proud as their film was played at the event. A Co-op Academy Southfield Student, said: 

“I liked talking to people at the ‘FixOurFood’ Summit, Learning about food waste and meeting new people.

Mrs Kelly, a teacher at Co-op Academy Southfield who led the project, said: 

“Our students are often very isolated, meaning school and home are the only places that they go. Being part of something national has really helped the students to see the bigger picture and know that they are part of it.” 

“Having the FixOurFood come into school to work with them on the project has really made the curriculum come alive for the students, and really enthused the staff to think about how to deliver this topic in engaging ways.”

The ‘FixOurFood’ campaign is one of four research consortia funded by the £47.5m ‘Transforming UK Food System, Strategic Priorities Fund Programme.’ Southfield will continue to learn from engaging sessions, trips and projects as a part of the ‘FixOurFood’ campaign and will support the transformation of the Yorkshire food system to a more sustainable one.