SOS-UK’s Food and Farming programme has been supporting food growing projects, sustainable food enterprises and campaigns around sustainable food for over 10 years. The Food and Farming Network was piloted in 2021/22,and now open to all organisations.
What is the Food and Farming Network?
The network aims to help students, staff, officers, colleges and universities to collaboratively tackle key issues related to sustainable food projects. This may include food enterprises, food growing, campaigns, catering, campus farms and broader food system issues affecting campus life.
Why should you get involved?
The Food and Faming Network will offer bespoke support for staff and students leading sustainable food projects on campus. Not only will you have a chance to collaborate with other institutions, but we will hold networking events and share our bank of ever-growing resources. As part of the paid programme, you will also have access to sessions from our Green Impact webinar series, which is a useful resource covering an array of topics from climate justice to sustainable travel.
Getting involved in our 2022-23 programme will allow your institution and team to be some of the first to help shape the programme to ensure it best suits the needs of the sector. See our programme spec for key dates for 2022-23.
"We joined the network to build upon the mentorship and advice provided by SOS UK in previous years and connect with other enterprises seeking to adapt to the changing landscape and major challenges brought by Covid… Receive signposting on funding and research opportunities in food sustainability.” - University of Roehampton
What we’re offering
A 1 year membership costs £1545 (+VAT) for 2022-23, with start date of October 2022 and ending on 31st July 2023. Some aspects could be delivered in person for an additional fee on a case by case by basis.
The Food and Farming Network includes:
- 2-3 support calls (30 mins each) per term via zoom for each institution to assist lead students and staff in development of their food projects, including setting strategic directions, overcoming challenges and scoping for upcoming opportunities. Our support is aimed at the student calendar and understands the needs of an educational setting.
- 3 x 1 hour online networking sessions, bringing together students and staff from all intuitions within this network to share and learn together, to build connections and to encourage exchange visits. We will ask guest speakers to join these sessions where appropriate.
- Up to 2 x tickets for students and officers and up to 1 x ticket for a support staff member to the SOS-UK Summit (in person or online).
- Creation of central resources by SOS-UK to support the programme where appropriate.
- Ad hoc support - if you have queries at any point throughout the year or would like to suggest an idea for a support session, case study or news piece, we can be reached by email. We often share examples of best practice during our support calls
"[The best bit about the Food and Farming Network is] Knowledge exchange. Funding signposting and advice. Morale boosting to be part of a wider group of farming enterprises and food activists.” - University of Roehampton
What now?
Sign up via our institution or students’ union rate card here.
Alternatively, contact us on foodandfarming@sos-uk.org with any queries.
Interested in what else we have to offer? Check out Food and Farming’s current projects and resources here.