Gizzi Erskine, chef, food writer and passionate advocate of sustainable food systems, has today launched the biggest mass climate upskilling programme in UK history. The Future Food Movement Ally Community is a digital community founded to revolutionise the role that individuals play in the UK’s food and drink industry and empower them to accelerate climate change initiatives from within.

The food industry is facing a huge climate skills and knowledge gap which impacts from boardroom to shop floor. To help fix this, the Future Food Movement is embarking on the biggest mass upskilling programme in UK history. It aims to climate upskill two million people who work in the UK food sector and arm them with knowledge that will help them take action on sustainability in their businesses.

The food industry isn’t moving fast enough on climate. A third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the food system and the climate crisis threatens to undermine the world’s food supply chain. Implementing climate strategies in the food sector is now business critical.

Gizzi Erskine, chef, restaurateur and sustainable food campaigner said; “The UK food industry is a big carbon emitter – and to make real measurable change we all need to become climate warriors. Businesses are slowly catching on to the terrifying realisation that we are at critical moment in history, and that drastic changes are needed now to preserve our planet for future generations. Our industry has the power and ability to start this critical revolution but, only when we get smart and share knowledge, can we really work together and see real effective climate action.”

In its recent White Paper, Tomorrow’s Talent: Skills For A Climate Smart Food System, The Future Food Movement revealed that nearly two thirds of those who work in the UK’s food and drink sector, do not think that their employer is taking positive action to tackle the climate crisis. The report also highlighted a need for the food sector to come together to collectively have a loud voice in climate action, whilst also increasing employee retention and inspiring the next generation to enter a positive, sustainable, and engaging industry.

Kate Cawley, Founder of the Future Food Movement and MD of Veris Strategies, said, “This is a rallying call to both individuals and businesses in the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector take action on climate and be on the right side of history. There’s an assumption that sustainability professionals are going to magically fix everything but there aren’t enough of them and until this becomes part of everyone’s day job we won’t move fast enough.

“The Future Food Movement is built on the philosophy that when you know, you can’t unknow. Embedding climate strategies into the culture of a business and allowing individuals to create ideas and facilitate change is key to enacting lasting and positive change.”

In a recent Kantar survey commissioned by media platform Teads it showed that 49% of UK consumers want to reduce their carbon footprint through the food choices they make in 2022. With 35% of the UK’s total carbon emissions directly attributable to the food industry (Wrap 2021) it’s going to take a monumental team effort to reach net zero by 2050.

Kate Cawley adds; “Ultimately, we all win, or we all lose. It’s a simple as that. Knowledge is power, and through the Ally Community we will be upskilling our whole industry and helping make every role a climate role.”

The Future Food Movement Ally Community is the UK’s first food industry network which specifically inspires, upskills and educates individuals on climate. Giving people of all levels in all roles the skills to be able to make a difference on climate in their individual jobs whether that’s on the factory floor, in marketing, accounts or product development, everyone can play their part.

Gizzi Erskine said: “Leading the Future Food Movement Ally Community is the most important thing I have done in my career. I hope that I can inspire the next generation and the old school of food to stick with this and move forward together.”

The new Future Food Movement platform will focus on four skills areas; climate literacy, application, technology, and communication, as part of its mission to help the industry deliver on net zero by 2050.

Membership to the Ally Community includes access to pioneering events, masterclasses, and podcasts as well as networking opportunities and mentoring.

Forthcoming events from global leaders across the food and drinks industry, for Ally Community members include;

Patrick Lee: How to stay focused in a climate emergency Thurs 24th Feb 4pm

· The food industry is full of distractions; internal pressures, customer and supply pressures, with life pressures and the climate emergency on top, it is enough to make you want to retreat - Patrick gives us the tools to take a step back and then stay on track despite those distractions.

Amy Kull, Recognising and avoiding green washing Thurs 10th March, 4pm,

· Amy Kull is on the Board of Directors for Food For Climate League and is Founder CEO of Marin Restorative Communications. She is an expert in spotting the difference between positive climate action and just another load of greenwashing

· Gizzi Erskine, chef, author and sustainable food advocate and Glen Burrows, co-founder of Ethical Butcher deliver a masterclass on regenerative agriculture 3rd March 4pm

· Will Clare: Live Ask the Expert session with Net Zero expert Weds 23rd March 1pm

Membership to the Ally Community is at a discounted £120 a year – with a current monthly subscription offer of £10 (normal monthly membership fee is £32 a month). For more information and to sign up visit the online portal here.

For more information on the Future Food Movement and to join the Accelerator or Ally community visit: futurefoodmovement.com, Instagram and LinkedIn: @futurefoodmovement