London, July 8, 2025 – Six new projects to combat food inequality in Great Britain were unveiled today by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The initiatives aim to improve the availability and affordability of nutritious food and reduce food insecurity in particularly affected communities.
The projects, funded under the UKRI theme “Creating opportunities, improving outcomes,” are implementing innovative approaches, including:
- Mobile greengrocer in Liverpool: The “Queen of Greens” delivers to social housing areas, supported by a mapping tool and food vouchers to facilitate access to fresh produce.
- Public canteens in Dundee and Nottingham: These state-subsidized canteens offer nutritious, sustainable meals for low-income households with children.
- Community food markets in Glasgow: In “food deserts,” markets are promoted through art and educational activities to increase their appeal.
- High-quality food for distribution points: In Southampton, New Forest, and the Isle of Wight, online platforms connect food distribution points with high-quality suppliers to reduce waste.
- More nutritious school meals in Wales: Researchers are analyzing and improving the quality and acceptance of free school meals.
- Workshops against local inequalities: In low-income communities in England, new strategies are being developed to reduce nutritional inequalities.
The projects respond to alarming figures: Between 2023 and 2024, 7.5 million people per month lived in households with food insecurity – an increase of 300,000 compared to 2022 and 2.5 million since 2019. Low-income households and people with disabilities are particularly affected.
“These innovative projects, from Wales to Dundee and from Nottingham to the Isle of Wight, will play a crucial role in tackling food inequalities,” said Professor Alison Park, head of the UKRI theme. Science and Technology Minister Peter Kyle added: “No one should be without access to healthy food. These projects are harnessing the power of research to find transformative solutions.”
The projects, led by universities such as Liverpool, Glasgow, Southampton, Cardiff, Sussex, and Cambridge, are receiving grants between £1.05 million and £1.57 million. They are intended not only to improve food supply but also to collect health data and develop models for sustainable food systems.
With these measures, Great Britain is sending a strong signal for greater food justice and could become a role model for other countries.
