A crisis on our plates, A revolution at our fingertips

By Melvin Dsouza, Director - Enterprise Opportunities (Food) at Harper Adams University

In the last two months, two groundbreaking reports – The False Economy of Big Food and the House of Lords report on the food system—have thrown down the gauntlet: the way we grow, distribute, and consume food is not just broken—it’s failing the very people it’s meant to nourish.

But where some see a crisis, we see the spark of transformation.

Here are five eye-opening takeaways from the reports:

The UK's food system is fueling a public health crisis. Obesity and related health issues directly attributed to food, cost society up to 2% of GDP annually—more than the NHS budget.

Ultra processed foods (UPFs) are wreaking havoc. These heavily engineered foods dominate our diets and undermine public health.

Business models shape what we eat. They dictate what’s affordable and accessible, while wielding enormous influence over policies.

Policy alone hasn't solved the crisis. Over 700 obesity-related policies in the past 30 years have failed to create real change. Millions are still locked out of affordable, healthy food—not by choice, but by systemic design.

A new food strategy is critical. Both reports urgently call for a comprehensive strategy that prioritises affordable, nutritious food and reimagines the food economy.

The challenge is immense, but here’s the thing: food is more than sustenance—it’s culture, identity, and possibility. It’s how we connect to one another and to the Earth.

At Harper Adams University, we’re not just witnesses to this turning point—we’re architects of its transformation. From cutting-edge research in regenerative agriculture to partnerships with visionaries and policymakers, we’re laying the foundation for a food system that serves everyone.

But we’re not stopping there. Something bold is brewing at Harper Adams University.

Through Harper Food Innovation, we’re gearing up for 2025: The Year of Bold Action.

With initiatives like the Future Farm and School of Sustainable Food and Farming @ Harper Adams University, we’re already developing solutions that tackle these challenges head-on with partners such as Morrisons, McDonald's and NFU (National Farmers' Union).

With Harper Food Innovation we are taking this further.

This is not just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about reigniting the soul of food itself. A food revolution is coming—and we invite you to be part of it with Harper Food Innovation.

Let’s make 2025 the year we stop talking about change and start building it. Together, We Will Make the Difference