Rethinking Food: Circular Solutions for a Healthier, Sustainable Future
When Ashleigh Horn joined the Healthy Sustainable Diets Accelerator, she was already passionate about making food healthier and more sustainable. But like many in the industry, she wanted practical strategies to drive real change.
Through the programme, Ashleigh - who works at COOK - deepened her understanding of circular food systems and how businesses can make a tangible impact. She explored ways to rethink ingredients, reduce waste and integrate sustainability at every stage of product development. Today, she applies these insights to influence both internal decisions and wider industry conversations.
"I came in with a basic understanding, but this programme gave me the confidence and tools to challenge the status quo and push for real change."
Ashleigh’s story is just one example of how food professionals are stepping up to meet the challenges of health, nutrition and sustainability. Are you ready to do the same?
Circular Economy for Food: The Shift We Need
In the Circular Economy Masterclass, Emma Chow explains the principles of creating a circular economy for food, moving beyond traditional linear systems and embracing frameworks that not only reduce harm but also actively regenerate our food system. Circular thinking reimagines how we produce, consume and manage resources to create positive environmental and social impact.
At its core, circular food systems are built on:
Eliminating waste by designing food and packaging to stay in use at their highest value
Regenerating natural systems to restore biodiversity, soil health, and water cycles
Embedding circular economy principles into product development—so food is designed not just for taste and convenience but for human and planetary well-being.
We are already seeing the impact of circular thinking in action. Businesses that embed regenerative principles into the value chain - beyond just farming and into packaging, product design and supply chains - are leading the way.
"Seeing participants engage in conversations like this, recognising the challenges and working together on solutions, has been incredibly powerful." – Emma Chow, Circular Economy Coach
Collaboration is Key to a Sustainable Future
The rise of regenerative and circular systems comes at a critical moment. The food industry faces urgent environmental and health challenges - but there’s also huge opportunity to drive meaningful change.
Rachel Smith from Greencore, a past participant in the programme, put it best: "My understanding of sustainability has evolved significantly. It’s not just about packaging or carbon - it’s about all the levers we can pull to help people make healthier, more sustainable choices."
This is exactly why collaboration matters. By breaking down silos, adopting holistic thinking and embedding regenerative principles across the food system, we can transform the future of food.
Emma Chow explains: "It’s clear that there’s real engagement, commitment and curiosity among the participants. The energy and thoughtful questions showed how invested people are in creating positive change. That kind of momentum matters and demonstrates the potential power of bringing diverse industry players together—not just to understand content, ideas and science, but to move into action."
"I was also struck by how much more there is to do—especially in building real collaboration. The potential power of these diverse industry sessions goes beyond understanding content, ideas and science; it can drive collective action. With this shared energy, the food industry has a genuine opportunity to build a thriving, regenerative system for the future. There's so much potential!"
How the Healthy Sustainable Diets Accelerator Helps You Lead the Change
The Healthy Sustainable Diets Accelerator is designed to equip food professionals with the tools, strategies and connections to turn circular thinking into action.
✔ Masterclass with Emma Chow – Learn how to apply circular economy solutions to food, packaging and supply chains at scale
✔ Systems Thinking Approach – Develop the mindset and strategies to embed sustainability into business decisions
✔ Industry Collaboration – Join a network of professionals who are committed to shaping a healthier, more sustainable food system.
"There’s so much potential! The energy, curiosity and commitment among participants show just how invested people are in driving change." – Emma Chow
Be Part of the Solution.
The industry is at a turning point. You can stay on the sidelines or step forward as a leader. The Healthy Sustainable Diets Accelerator gives you the knowledge, network and confidence to turn insights into action.
Healthy Sustainable Diets Accelerator: Join the next cohort, starting March 4th 2025 [Explore the programme and secure your spot].