We are absolutely delighted to introduce our new Advisory Group Chair, Juli Thompson. With her extensive background as a seasoned Chief Executive Officer at Inn Churches in Bradford and lead for the Food Savers Network, she is poised to bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique outlook to propel us towards success.

“I am thrilled and honoured to step into the role of chair for FoodWise Leeds. Our city has made remarkable strides in creating a more sustainable and equitable food system, as evidenced by our bronze award from Sustainable Food Places in 2019. However, I believe we have only scratched the surface of our potential.

As chair, I am excited to build on our strong foundation and lead our diverse coalition of partners towards our silver and even gold award goals. I’m particularly passionate about advancing our six focus areas outlined in the Leeds Food Action Plan. From improving food governance to promoting planet-friendly food choices, each aspect of our mission is crucial in transforming Leeds into a model food city.

This is a wonderful opportunity to bring together people from all walks of life – from local businesses and government officials to community organisations and individual citizens – in our shared vision of a healthy, sustainable, and fair food system for everyone in Leeds. Together, we can cultivate a thriving food culture that nourishes our community, supports our local economy, and protects our environment.

I look forward to championing FoodWise Leeds’ initiatives, inspiring more individuals and organizations to become FoodWise, and showcasing our city’s innovative approach to food sustainability on a national and global stage. Let’s make Leeds a shining example of what a truly food-wise city can achieve!” I like our chances.

Juli chairing our Advisory Group meeting at Rethink Leeds