Understanding Food Systems: People, Place, Planet - SOLD OUT

Description

This is a free 9-week course that will give participants and introduction to the food system and its impact on communities and the environment both locally and around the world.

We will begin by unpacking what a food system is, then explore the global food industry and its impact on Britain’s food system. We will examine associated issues such as food poverty, dietary health, food security and the environmental impact of food production.

There will be field trips to see where our food comes from and understand more about the farmland surrounding our city and its unique ecology.

The course will be facilitated by Brighton and Hove Food Partnership together with academics, experts, campaigners and local activists.

Time and Dates: 6-8pm Wednesday evenings starting Weds 6th May, 2026

Venue: University of Sussex Food and Climate Hub (Falmer Campus). Plus site visits to various city locations.

This course is aimed at residents of Brighton and Hove. No prior knowledge of food systems is required.

Sessions include:

• Unpacking the Food System - with Ali Ghanimi

• Global Food, Trade and its Impact - with Stuart Gillespie

• The Government’s Food Strategy for England: The Good Food Cycle - with Tom George

• Food, Education and Skills for Life - with Hannah Tedman and Perpetua Kirby

• Field Trips to a local farm and rewilding site - with Sophie Robinson and Rosie Linford

• Ending the Need for Food Banks - with Stef Lake and Ronald Ranta

• Civil Food Resilience - with Vera Zakharov
  

By the end of the course, participants will be able to: 

• Define a food system at a local, national and global level and understand how they connect

• Learn how food policy shapes health, climate, biodiversity and inequality 

• Experience food systems hands on by meeting farmers, experts and activists

• Understand how a city like Brighton and Hove could feed itself more sustainably

• Build confidence to take action locally
  
  

Understanding Food Systems: People, Place, Planet is part of an ambitious, UK-wide National Lottery project – Extended Table.

Extended Table is a new, five-year project, aiming to transform the food system. The project uses food to create inclusive social spaces that support marginalised people affected by multiple challenges. It aims to build communities, amplify participant voices and promote systemic change.

Date & Time

May 6, 2026 6:00 pm - Jul 7, 2026 8:00 pm

Venue Details

University of Sussex Food and Climate Hub

Falmer, East Sussex BN1 9BJ

Brighton & Hove Food Partnership