£20,000 prize on offer for best regen food initiative

A £20,000 prize is up for grabs for farmers who are driving change in regenerative agriculture.

The Food System Prize is open to new or existing businesses, individuals or startups, with ideas or solutions for reimagining how food is grown, distributed and eaten.

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It has been created by Regen Gathering Jersey with support from Lloyds Bank Crown Dependencies, Evelyn Partners, The Crown, Farm Jersey, Woven and Channel Island Co-op.

The fund builds on the government’s calls for a health food revolution, and is open to applicants across the UK.

Judges include environmentalist Ben Goldsmith, Hodmedod’s Josiah Meldrum, and farmer Abby Rose.

“This new prize will celebrate land managers who are working with nature, not against it,” said Mr Goldsmith.

“Combining the best of ancient wisdom – like rotational practices with modern technology, or soil sensors, drones and no-till – offers a pathway to landscapes that are not only more productive and more resilient, but more joyful, too.”

Co-founders of Regen Gathering Jersey, India Hamilton and Taylor Smythe, want to see entries that strengthen regional food systems, which they believe will be critical to food security.

India Hamilton © Natalie Mayer

“We want to empower communities and improve long-term health outcomes by encouraging fresh ideas which improve the way we all get our food,” said Ms Hamilton.

“And we want to support people whose ambition it is to build a healthy, resilient food system.”

Ms Smythe added: “Building resilience and diversity into our supply chains is absolutely vital.

“There’s a huge untapped opportunity to bring imagination and creativity into real community and the farming sector.”

The prize will comprise £15,000 in cash, plus £5,000 worth of support with branding and website design, as well as support in building a market for products – if applicable to the business or idea.

An extra £5,000 is being ringfenced exclusively for applicants from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

To apply, visit the Regen Gathering website.