Who we work with

The British Nutrition Foundation undertakes much of its work independently, with guidance from its advisory and technical committees. We are an evidence-based organisation, with a commitment to champion nutrition science. Our governance arrangements ensure that we deliver our charitable aims, are impartial and transparent and act with integrity.

We also believe in the value of collaborations and partnerships in the UK and around the world, that enable us to raise our profile and extend our impact.

Our networks and governance structure are inherent strengths that ensure we work with a diverse range of groups and talented individuals within the food and nutrition world. As a result, we are ideally placed to understand the nutrition challenges faced and the opportunities and context for activities associated with delivering improved public health.

Our collaborative activities include:

• Academy of Nutrition Sciences: The Academy of Nutrition Sciences is a joint initiative between the Association for Nutrition (AfN), the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the British Nutrition Foundation and the Nutrition Society (NS). The Academy’s objective is to improve public health and wellbeing by supporting excellence in research, education and associated activities to advance the knowledge and application of evidence-based nutrition science.
• Academics and researchers: Our peer reviewed journal, Nutrition Bulletin, with published with Wiley. Nutrition Bulletin provides a unique blend of scientific reviews on aspects of nutrition and news of important or emerging issues in the field of human nutrition. Published quarterly, the Bulletin presents original and comprehensive review articles on diverse aspects of the science and application of nutrition.
• Awarding organisations: We work with a number of Awarding Organisations (exam boards) throughout the UK, especially related to school education. Many are on our education committees, advising us on how best we could support pupils in their food and nutrition learning. We also work with the Awarding Organisations on an annual basis to give awards to GCSE/National 5 and A-level/Advance Higher pupils, and their teachers.
• Businesses: To support achievement of our charitable objects and strategy, our Articles of Association allow for corporate membership. Corporate membership is open to organisations, companies and corporations from a range of backgrounds, such as banking, insurance, the food chain, health care, fitness, IT and media who have a desire to improve public health. We do not lobby, endorse any products, engage in food advertising campaigns or allow commercial pressure to influence us when publishing or disseminating information.
• Government: Over the years, we have held contracts with numerous government departments, focusing on nutrition policy, communications and school food education. In addition, we are invited to sit on a number of different advisory groups. We strive to keep an open dialogue with government officials on areas of mutual interest.
• Health professionals: Through our charitable work, as well as consultancy, we work with health professionals, and the organisations that represent their interest, to support their professional development, as well as provide evidence-based resources for them to use with their clients.
• Journalists and the media: We provide journalists and broadcast media round-the-clock access to evidence-based scientific information and comments on current nutrition issues, from our media trained team of experts. Commenting on topical nutrition stories or issues, our staff are regularly quoted in National Press. Experts from the British Nutrition Foundation have also appeared on TV and radio features and news programmes, to provide expert opinion on various nutrition and health stories.
• Professional associations and societies: We engage with professional associations and societies who share our mutual interest in health and nutrition, to support their members (through access to our information), as well as collaborate on specific areas of interest.
• Teachers and schools: We support food and nutrition education in schools via our Food – a fact of life programme. The programme provides free resources for teaching young people aged 3-16 years about where food comes from, cooking and healthy eating. It also provides training to teachers. In the past few years, we’ve been working in partnership with the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
• Universities and research councils: Through partnership working, we have worked with numerous universities and researchers, over many years, to support the creation and dissemination of nutrition information to diverse audience groups.