The Library
Articles & blogs
How the British Empire Built the Food System that Is Destroying the Planet
‘The British Empire created the first global capitalist market for food… leaving behind a legacy of environmental destruction that haunts a rapidly warming planet.’
Written by Sam Wetherell for Tribune
How to destroy the imperial food system
‘Whether it is cotton or grain, globalisation perpetuates old imperial beliefs about the West’s right to be fed, clothed and furnished.’
Written by Max Walker for Vittles
Food insecurity reveals baked-in institutional racism
‘Food insecurity is never inevitable. In a market economy it is linked, first and foremost, to affordability.’
Written by Sara Bailey & Imogen Richmond-Bishop for Sustain
Racism and the food system
‘The serving of rotten food to people seeking asylum living in London’s refugee accommodation now appears to be endemic.’
Written by Monish Bhatia and Roxana Cavalcanti for Institute of Race Relations
Pathways to a racially just food system
‘Rising awareness of inequities is creating momentum for meaningful change.’
Written by Kimberly Libman, Spring Cutter & Nessia Berner Wong for ChangeLab Solutions
Lessons from the US
‘On creating more culturally relevant food policies and menus.’
Written by Priyasha Maharjan for School Food Matters
Black erasure in the British food industry
‘The erasure of Black voices in all aspects of British culture has been long-standing’
Written by Melissa Thompson for Vittles
Young Black Farmers: where are they now?
‘When Young Black Farmers was first shown on British TV in 2006, it was almost missed by everyone it had been made for.’
Written by David Jesudason for Vittles
Pathways to Land project explores how to secure land for BPOC producers
‘Within the sustainable food movement there is no hiding that the farming sector has the furthest to go in terms of racial equity and diversity.’
Written by Sareta Puri for Roots to Work (Sustain)
A personal perspective on rural racism
‘Though born in Birmingham, no one made me feel I didn’t belong in the countryside.’
Written by Corinne Fowler for Ramblers
Farming and diversity
‘Agriculture is one of the UK's least diverse professions, but a growing movement is attempting to bring about a change.’
Written by Florece Freeman for SW Londoner
For a truly fair food system, BPOC farmers need to flourish
‘Although many BPOC communities possess significant agricultural knowledge… they find themselves cut off from farming in the UK by racialised structural barriers.’
Written by Dora Taylor for Wicked Leeks
Breaking down barriers to countryside access
‘Conservationist and land access campaigner Nadia Shaikh looks at barriers that can deter people of colour,.’
Written by Nadia Shaikh for Ramblers
Rural racism in Dorset: Why is our countryside 98% white?
‘Racism can be just as much of a problem in the countryside as it is in our cities.’
Written by Louisa Adjoa Parker for BBC News
Why black lives matter in the British countryside
‘Issues of racism are often portrayed in an urban setting and not among the primary concerns of rural communities.’
Written by Louisa Adjoa Parker for Campaign to Protect Rural England
It's time to call out racism in the profession
‘Only 3 per cent of the veterinary profession identify themselves as coming from an ethnic minority background.’
Written by Matthew Limb for Vet Record