Dr Meera Shekar is the Global Lead for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank. Meera is the former Chair of the SUN Executive Committee, a key figure in shaping the movement, and a prominent voice in the fight for global food security. In this episode, Meera discusses global nutrition challenges and the World Bank’s updated Investment Framework for Nutrition. She provides insight into the scope of malnutrition worldwide and the importance of policy interventions in managing...

Renato Godhinho is the Special Advisor for International Affairs at MDS - Brazil and Co-Chair of the G20 Task Force for the Establishment of a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.  In this episode, Renato shares his career journey from journalist to diplomat and Brazil's role in global food security initiatives. He discusses the aims of the Global Alliance and how the task force keeps hunger and poverty high on the political agenda.   Resources and links: Renato Domith Godhino on...

Kelly McJannett is the CEO and Co-founder of Food Ladder. Food Ladder is an Australian not-for-profit that combines educational programs and agritech to teach children in remote and Indigenous communities how to grow their own food and fight food insecurity. In this episode, Kelly discusses how Food Ladder integrates agricultural education into school curriculums and uses AI-enabled hydroponic greenhouses to address food insecurity in remote and Indigenous communities. She highlights the...

Dr Jean Claude Rubyogo is the Director of the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA). PABRA works with more than 350 members and partners across 30 countries to deliver better beans to the continent and improve the health and income of African smallholders. In this episode, Jean Claude dives into how PABRA is working with researchers across Africa to improve beans for everyone and describes how research has contributed to the development of beans with shorter growing times which provides...

Stephen Ritz is an Educator, Author, Urban Farmer, and the Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Green Bronx Machine is an impact-driven, for-purpose organisation teaching kids to grow, eat, and love vegetables and improve student nutrition, school engagement, and academic performance. In this episode, Stephen shares his journey from aspiring basketball star to inexperienced teacher in the South Bronx in the 1980s to an advocate for food justice and urban agriculture. He explains how Green Bronx...

The Honourable Jérémy Lissouba is a Member of Parliament in the Republic of the Congo and a prominent voice in the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network, a coalition of lawmakers committed to tackling food insecurity across the continent.  In this episode, Hon. Lissouba explains the social and agriculture initiatives he has collaborated on, the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth, and how many African nations are working together to tackle hunger on the continent. He...

Tom Arnold is an Agricultural Economist and Policy Advisor. He is the former CEO of Concern Worldwide and has held many positions with the Irish Department of Agriculture and the European Union Commission. He currently serves as Ireland’s Special Envoy on Food Systems and Chair of the EU Commission’s High Level Expert Group to assess the need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS). In this episode, Tom opens up about his extensive career, the importance of political...

Afshan Khan is the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Coordinator. The SUN Movement aims to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms by 2030. For over thirty years, Afshan has served as an international public official in various roles such as UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe. In this episode, Afshan expounds on the mission to end malnutrition by 2030 and how SUN...

Kimberly Chamberland is the CEO and Founder of Big Mountain Foods. Big Mountain Foods is a leading producer of allergen-free, plant-based foods in the U.S. and Canada. In this episode, Kimberly discusses her journey from launching Big Mountain Foods in 1987 to where the company is today. She shares how they developed the world’s first fava bean tofu, the importance of sustainable ingredients, and how Big Mountain Foods overcomes supply chain challenges.   Resources and links: Big...

Devin De Wulf is the Founder of Krewe of Red Beans. Krewe of Red Beans organises regular “bean parades” from their home base, Beanlandia, a community hub offering help to people in need, volunteer opportunities, music, culture, and a social space for the people of New Orleans. In this episode, Devin shares his inspiration for launching a bean parade and how it grew from a small event into an impactful community initiative that promotes sustainability and cultural unity. He also discusses how...

Omar Shihab is the Founder of BOCA. BOCA is a multi-award-winning Modern Spanish restaurant with a deep commitment to sustainability in the heart of Dubai’s financial district. Under the guidance of Omar and his Executive Chef, Patricia Roig, BOCA has become a pillar for thoughtful, sustainable gastronomy. In this episode, Omar discusses BOCA’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients, sustainability, and culinary innovation, focusing on halophytes, a salt-resistant plant. He shares the...

Dr Agnes Kalibata is the President of AGRA. AGRA aims to improve nutrition, reduce hunger, and adapt to climate change across Africa through rapid, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural growth. Agnes has dedicated her life to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, sustainable agriculture, and food security as Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the 2021 Food Systems Summit and during her time as the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). In...

Pierre Thiam is an Author, Activist, and the Executive Chef at Teranga and NOK by Alara. His restaurants allow him to showcase West African cuisine with a focus on sustainability. He founded Yolélé to support smallholder farms in the Sahel region of Africa and advocate for the nutritious West African grain, Fonio. Pierre has also written four cookbooks so people can enjoy African cuisine at home. In this episode, Pierre shares how his passion for food took him from Dakar to New York City and...

Dr Hugh Montgomery OBE is a Physician, Professor of Medicine, and the Founder of Real Zero. Hugh has dedicated his life to helping people in need. In 2022, he was made an Officer for the Order of the British Empire for services to intensive care medicine and climate change. His organisation, Real Zero, aims to generate social and economic change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the speed and scale required to make a difference. In this episode, Hugh discusses how he got into medicine,...

Alejandra Schrader is a Chef, Author, and Activist. Alejandra is a founding member of the Chef’s Manifesto and has been an Ambassador for Oxfam America for over a decade, where she has had the opportunity to discuss food sustainability and policy with prominent political figures. Her book “The Low-Carbon Cookbook and Action Plan” highlights plant-based recipes designed to reduce food waste and combat climate change. In this episode, Alejandra delves into her multifaceted career promoting...

Jon Alexander is the Co-founder of The New Citizen Project and the author of ‘Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us’. The New Citizen Project’s mission is to create a stronger society by working with organisations to promote participatory projects that invite people to view themselves as citizens rather than consumers to create meaningful change. In this episode, Jon shares his journey from advertising to activism. He explains the goals of The New Citizen Project and how...

Sir David Nabarro KCMG CBE is the Strategic Director and Co-founder of the 4SD Foundation.  David has dedicated his life to providing care and improving health outcomes in communities worldwide. Through his work with the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO), David has been at the forefront of global health emergency responses for decades and was instrumental in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this episode, David shares his journey from medicine to humanitarian work...

Maximo Torero is the Chief Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the United Nations. The FAO is a highly specialised branch of the United Nations dedicated to defeating world hunger and the causes of food insecurity to ensure all people have access to safe and nutritious food. In this episode, Maximo joins us to discuss this year's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, which was released today. He provides insights into the impact of...

Henry Firth and Ian Theasby are the Founders of 'BOSH!'. 'BOSH!' is the biggest plant-based online channel for everyone from the fully meatless to the veg-curious. Henry and Ian have sold over a million plant cookbooks and 'BOSH!' products are now sold in supermarkets worldwide. In today’s episode, Henry and Ian discuss how their lifelong friendship influenced their decisions to transition to a plant-based lifestyle and how that led to the creation of 'BOSH!' They dig into the recipe...

Alice Zaslavsky is a Food Educator, Masterchef alum, and the author of three cookbooks such as "In Praise of Veg", which encourages people to embrace vegetables in a new and delicious way. In this episode, Alice tells the story of how she went from teaching middle school kids on camp how to dice an onion to the Masterchef Australia kitchen. She explains why she is passionate about teaching kids about food from a young age and engaging them in conversations about sustainable food and cultural...

Today, Paul’s guest is Conor Spacey, the Executive Chef and Culinary Director of FoodSpace. FoodSpace is a catering and hospitality company committed to making fresh, delicious food in a sustainable way with in-season ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Conor is also the author of “Wasted”, and unlike other cookbooks, it focuses on reducing food waste by creating tasty treats using the bits you might’ve otherwise thrown away. In this episode, Conor emphasises the importance of good...

In today's episode, Paul is joined by Professor Jacqueline McGlade, the Co-founder and Chief Scientist of DownForce Technologies. Jackie has had a long career in public policy. Before founding DownForce Technologies, she was the Chief Scientist of the United Nations Environment Program and Head of the European Environment Agency. In the conversation, Jackie outlines her extensive career in environmental science, how her company uses technology to measure soil carbon, and the practical...

For today’s episode, Paul caught up with Chef, Educator, and Social Impact Entrepreneur, Mark Brand. Mark has dedicated his life to developing restaurants and businesses that serve great food and the local community.  In this episode, Mark shares his journey from Melbourne to Vancouver and how radical inclusion and social change have always been at the heart of his work. He discusses how he has attempted to foster social change through his restaurants and charities and emphasises the...

June 7th is World Food Safety Day!To learn more about food safety, Paul spoke with Silvia Alsonso, a Senior Scientist and Veterinarian at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). ILRI is part of a dedicated global effort to improve food safety through research projects focusing on livestock in developing countries. In this episode, Silvia discusses the importance of research for improving food safety in the global south, particularly in informal markets that comprise the...