What would it take to move from food systems that extract from nature to food systems that actively restore it?

Authenticity and Regeneration in Food Systems

Join CIFAL Surrey in person to explore authenticity and regeneration in food systems.

What would it take to move from food systems that extract from nature to food systems that actively restore it? This seminar explores regenerative approaches to food production, bringing together academic research and practical experience from the land.

Why does this matter?

Our food systems are deeply connected to some of today’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, from biodiversity loss and soil degradation to climate change and changing patterns of consumption. Regenerative approaches offer an opportunity to rethink how food is produced, how businesses create value, and how agriculture can contribute to healthier ecosystems and communities.

The talks

Dr Yanfei Hu (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/yanfei-hu) – Construct authenticity under ideological polarization: Venturing in the UK vegan protein market Dr Yanfei Hu will explore the role of businesses, entrepreneurs and innovation in constructing authenticity in food systems. Authenticity in entrepreneurship research has been differently conceptualized as 1) conforming to a socially-defined category, or 2) maintaining consistency between external expressions and internal values. In this study, we reveal how the UK vegan protein entrepreneurs construct these two forms of authenticity to expose the challenges of venturing in an ideologically contested market. Drawing from 30 in-depth interviews with UK entrepreneurs and extensive archival data, we unpack a set of authenticity strategies adopted by entrepreneurs, and we show these strategies’ implications of visioning different food futures.

Molly Biddell (https://knepp.co.uk/team-member/molly-biddell/) – Regenerative Land Management in Surrey

How does a working rural business contribute to a regenerative food system and restore nature at the same time? This talk looks at how regenerative farming and ecosystem restoration can work together, using Hampton Estate in the Surrey Hills as a local case study. Molly Biddell will share how the business combines pasture-fed livestock, forestry and habitat restoration, and how it connects with community through direct sales, eco-tourism, citizen science and volunteering . She will discuss what has worked, what has been challenging, and what this means for the future of local good food systems.

CIFAL Surrey and Surrey Hills Enterprises

CIFAL Surrey (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/institute-sustainability/training-centre/events) is a UN-accredited international training centre based at the University of Surrey and part of the UNITAR-affiliated CIFAL Global Network. It brings together academic expertise, industry, government and civil society to develop sustainability knowledge, leadership and practical capacity, with a focus on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Surrey Hills Enterprises (https://surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk/about) (SHE) is a Community Interest Company and membership organisation supporting more than 240 businesses, charities, community organisations and other organisations with an economic interest in the Surrey Hills. Its work focuses on helping local organisations thrive while contributing to a resilient and sustainable Surrey Hills economy, through networking, training, collaboration and business development.

In August 2026, the University of Surrey and Surrey Hills Enterprises launched a nine-month Education Partnership, with the University becoming SHE's first Education Partner. The partnership creates opportunities for Surrey Hills organisations to access University expertise, research, training and student talent, including funded and discounted places on sustainability training and certification through CIFAL Surrey. It also creates opportunities for students and local organisations to work together on real-world challenges, while both organisations explore further research and collaboration.

Description supplied by the event organiser.