Innovative Food Business Models for Sustainable and Resilient Economies

In December 2020, Ulster University Business School (UUBS) and Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy, in collaboration with Belfast Food Network
(BFN), Food and Drink North East (FADNE), Food Newcastle, and Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) secured funding from the Economic and Social Research Council’s Accelerating Business Collaboration scheme (ESRC ABC).

The primary aim of this project was to foster ‘Innovative Food Business Models for Sustainable and Resilient Economies’. Intensive workshops were organised to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration, building tripartite partnerships and network opportunities for private sector, academia and local government organisations, to shape area-based food sustainability agendas. Intended outcomes comprised an inclusive and stimulating platform for multi-stakeholder engagement and network opportunities, from creative idea generation to building partnerships, culminating in agreement of signature projects in Belfast and Newcastle upon Tyne. Other benefits included enduring partnerships beyond the project and commercial/societal benefits in strengthening the local sustainable food economy, ensuring access to good food and fostering environmental sustainability.