Innovative and Sustainable Food Business Models: Case Studies from Belfast and Newcastle

Background: Much is being achieved in Belfast and Newcastle, UK Sustainable Food Places, to progress the food sustainability agenda with cross-sector partnerships actively engaged in addressing some of the most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges, and to promote more inclusive, healthy, resilient and sustainable food economies. Method: Ulster and Newcastle universities co-hosted a series of focus groups (February/March 2021) to stimulate alternative, innovative food business models through knowledge-exchange and collaboration, building potential partnerships between food businesses and stakeholder organisations. In total, 88 participants attended the focus groups representing farmers/ food producers (including SMEs); the community sector/ consumer organisations; academia; local government bodies; and trade associations and sector bodies. Findings: The focus groups presented the opportunity to reflect on the key challenges and emergent opportunities around three thematic areas (environmental - decarbonising food supply chains; social - social innovation in food supply chains; economic - resilience in food supply chains) and share learnings with respect to what has worked well in other regions. The forums provided a safe platform to stimulate multi-stakeholder engagement and network opportunities, from creative idea generation to building partnerships.