The Big Food Redesign Challenge

We can, and must, redesign how we produce our food to allow nature to thrive. To help accelerate this change, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with the Sustainable Food Trust, is launching a challenge that will bring producers, retailers, start-ups, and suppliers together to embrace circular food design.

As part of The Big Food Redesign Challenge, participants will be tasked with designing new food products - or redesigning existing ones - using circular design principles, meaning they are produced in a way that regenerates nature.

By applying the circular design principles, participants will explore the potential for food to tackle biodiversity loss and address climate change.

The challenge was launched on Wednesday 24th May in London at the Barbican's Conservatory with guests from across the food industry.

Participants will be supported throughout the challenge, with the first designs expected towards the end of this year. Successful food product ideas will then be invited to go into production and made available in 2024.

The Big Food Redesign Challenge is generously supported with funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery and awarded through the Dream Fund, with additional support provided by the Schmidt Family Foundation.

"We know the problems. The current food system is a key driver of biodiversity loss and accounts for a third of global greenhouse gases. By applying the principles of circular design to our food system, we can create food that regenerates nature and tackles some of our most pressing global issues." - Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder and Chair of Trustees, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

"We're delighted to be involved with the global Big Food Redesign Challenge and look forward to stocking our shelves with some of the innovative products that are being created with nature in mind. Our customers are thoughtful shoppers who trust us to offer responsibly sourced produce, and we can't wait to hear their thoughts on the new products developed for the Challenge." - Ben Thomas, Senior Environment Manager, John Lewis Partnership

“Players of People’s Postcode Lottery raised an incredible £1.25 million for The Big Food Redesign Challenge, awarded as part of our annual Dream Fund. I am thrilled that this funding has been a catalyst for the project, allowing the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to deliver a project that will reshape food production with the needs of the environment at its core.” – Laura Chow, Head of Charities, People’s Postcode Lottery