New foundation aims to combat food poverty

A Yorkshire organisation tackling food insecurity and inequality has launched a charitable foundation to strengthen support for children and families experiencing financial hardship.

Rethink Food has established Rethink Food Foundation to expand access to healthy food, tackle the underlying causes of food poverty and develop long-term solutions for communities.

The foundation was officially launched at Cineworld White Rose in Leeds, bringing together schools, community organisations, supporters and partners.

Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, said: “The Foundation is about legacy, but it’s not about looking backwards.

“It’s about taking everything we’ve learned over the last eight years and creating the foundations for what comes next.

“We know schools and communities are doing incredible work, but they shouldn’t have to tackle food insecurity alone.

“The Foundation gives us a dedicated charitable platform to bring more people together, reach more families and build solutions that can create lasting change.”

Founded in 2018 in response to children arriving at school hungry, Rethink Food has since grown into an organisation working with schools, families and communities to address food insecurity.

Central to the new foundation’s work will be the National School Pantry Network, which helps schools provide families with dignified, choice-based access to food alongside education and wider community support.

Operating alongside Rethink Food CIC, the foundation will provide a dedicated charitable platform for fundraising and partnerships, complementing the organisation’s existing programmes and activities.

Its work will focus on three priorities: access with dignity, education and long-term systems change.

Lindsay Graham CF, DUniv, OBE, who has spent decades tackling childhood food insecurity and influencing UK food policy, has been appointed the foundation’s first patron.

She said: “Having watched the inception and progress of Rethink Food for the last decade, I feel very privileged to be able to support its future development as its first named patron.

“I plan to do my best to help in every way I can, championing the vital work Rethink Food does every day that I believe makes a difference to so many in our communities.”

Gail Paddy, founder and director of Food for Thought Coaching & Consulting Limited, has also joined the foundation as a trustee.

She added: “Having spent my career in the food industry, I have developed a strong passion for addressing food poverty and improving food education.

“Food has the power to change lives, yet many people face barriers to accessing affordable, nutritious food or understanding how to make the most of it.

“I am delighted to join the board of trustees at Rethink Food and look forward to using my experience, knowledge and passion to help make a meaningful difference on this important issue.”

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