Harper Adams University is set to host the 2014 Frank Arden Memorial Conference on 24 April, supported by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.
Exploring the nutritional food opportunities that farmers could be capitalising upon, the conference will be chaired by Countryfile presenter Tom Heap, with presentations from Nuffield Scholars Caroline Drummond MBE, and David Northcroft; as well as leading experts in the fields of nutrition, farming and food security.
This half-day event sees the two scholars present their findings after 12 months of travel and research seeking to answer: "How can farming learn from science to optimise the nutritional value of our food?"
Nuffield are also delighted to welcome presentations from Professor Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at Oxford University; Professor Tim Benton, UK Champion for Global Food Security and Professor of Population Ecology; Professor Tim Brocklehurst, Head of the IFR Food and Health Network; and Meurig Raymond, President, National Farmers Union.
Caroline comments that her scholarship study was motivated by her desire to understand more the links between farming, food and nutrition. "There is a great chasm between the farming sector, the nutritionists and food technologists. In farming we know more about feeding our livestock and crops than perhaps the value that our farming endeavours offer to public health and nutrition, so I embarked on a journey of finding out where we can truly add value to the bottom line – pre-farm gate," remarks Caroline.
David Northcroft, currently Category & Varietal Development Manager for Waitrose has investigated how farming can best learn from science to optimise the nutritional value of food. "There are scientific opportunities that will continue to develop for years to come, and the food industry needs to work collaboratively to deliver them successfully to the consumer," he says.
The conference will be held in the Western Lecture Theatre, commencing at 9.30am and concluding following lunch.
