Origin story
For the past year, colleagues from BVEDS, AFN+ Network, Sustain and Eating Better have collaborated to bring this website to life. Through our work on anti-racism and inclusion in the food and farming sector, we noticed a serious gap - there were very few spaces to connect with others doing similar work, or to find and celebrate Black and people of colour (BPOC) leading projects in the sector. As we know, food, farming, and environmental work remain some of the least diverse fields in the UK. This lack of representation often makes the vital contributions of people of colour invisible.
The sector is also deeply fragmented. Again and again, we hear excuses such as: “It’s hard to diversify our panels” or “We struggle to find community projects to collaborate with”. These comments imply that we don’t exist. But we do. We are here - and we are driving systemic change in the food system.
We don’t want to hear any more excuses about why panels remain overwhelmingly white, why organisations struggle to connect with projects run by and for marginalised groups, or why there’s supposedly a lack of research linking racial justice with the food and farming sector. That’s why we created this website, to break down barriers, amplify BPOC voices, showcase transformative projects, and share resources that help others learn, grow, and build community and solidarity.
Culture Roots Collective is a tool for change - an evolving space that thrives on collective contributions and reflects the power of community. This platform is proudly co-created by BPOC people working in the sector who share the same vision. We pooled our resources, time, and energy to make this happen. Alongside the Eating Better and Sustain Food and Racial Justice Working Group and Alliance members, we gathered ideas and content to bring this platform together.
Our mission?
To centre the voices, practices, and leadership of BPOC communities and individuals in food and agriculture - honouring our roots, reclaiming our land stories, and growing collective power for a just and nourishing future.
The launch
The platform launched this summer, at The Gathering Table: a summit on racial justice in food and farming and the Agrifuture Forum event in London.
We need you!
Help to grow the platform:
- Mention it at conferences
- Share your events with us
- Upload your profile to our directory (personal or organisational)
- Send us relevant articles, research or resources
- Share training opportunities
- Share hi-res images of BPOC thriving in the sector
