Food System Design
Many people say our global food system is broken, however I prefer to use the phrase: “the food system is rigged”. It’s rigged to benefit those in positions of power; the multinationals, the political status quo. And when it is put under pressure it isn't resilient, as we saw within the supply chain as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. I believe strongly we need a future that is built on food sovereignty, and centres food justice and regenerative food systems.
My work as a volunteer in Scotland with grassroots organisations such as Slow Food and the Take One Action Film Festival led to me coordinating the Slow Food Youth Network in Scotland, and to managing Leith Food Assembly in Edinburgh. Returning to study for an MSc in Gastronomy in 2018 allowed me to delve into the potential for design to be used to help understand and innovate within food systems - to create alternatives to the status quo. My research interests examine the potential for food design to communicate the complexity of the food system, and to enable multisensory design to be used as a tool for transformative food education.
I have extensive experience working with independent retailers and small sustainable producers, including online - while managing Leith Food Assembly, as Supervisor at Dig-In Bruntsfield, (a progressive community-owned grocery), as a consultant for The Edinburgh Fermentarium, and now, as Trading Co-ordinator for Locavore CIC.
Having run a small craft and design business for over ten years has enabled me to develop a diverse skill set which includes product range planning, sales, marketing, distribution and business administration. I relish managing innovative projects which can contribute to the prosperity of a business, and am proficient in digital marketing across a range of online platforms to promote product sales and to share engaging narratives with communities. Working both independently and as part of a team, I utilise creative thinking, energy and drive. With a grounding in hospitality and retail, I have exhibited well-informed product/brand knowledge, as well as attention to detail throughout my career.
I enjoy the balance of working to make change from within the food system, with that of a creative who can explore critical and conceptual work. If you’d like me to speak at your event, or tailor a workshop for your organisation on sustainable food systems please do get in touch.
January 2017 – July 2018: Leith Food Assembly, Edinburgh – Coordinator.
Leith Food Assembly was an online farmers market using an innovative platform design and opened in Autumn 2015, the first of it’s kind in Scotland. The Leith Food Assembly was a way to avoid the corporates by buying food direct from local producers online and collecting at a weekly pickup.
Steph took over the running of the Assembly in January 2017 alongside Mike Wilson, and during this time we ran collections at both Quay Commons as well as a secondary drop off point at Jeremiah’s Taproom, with the help from our brilliant volunteers.
We sought to make the connection between our consumers and producers as short as possible and ran a series of events and food tastings to help share the stories of our local food producers, as well as providing a community picnic to raise funds for Newhaven Heritage Community Garden as part of the Power of Food Festival.
Sadly, The Food Assembly decided to close the UK platform of The Food Assembly in September 2016, leading to the closure of our weekly local food shop. We’d like to thank all those who joined us on this collaborative journey: the producers; our wonderful venues; customers, friends and supporters of Leith Food Assembly for their support over the years.
Here’s a wee video about Leith Food Assembly when it first opened: