The aim of this £20k Food System Prize is to find innovators across the food system. We want to support people who are leading the transition towards thriving food systems, healthy soils, and healthy people.
We want to support businesses, farmers and entrepreneurs - anyone who is trying to do things differently. Anyone with a good idea or business can apply.
This could be individuals or businesses specialising in anything from soil health to food networks to the health of communities. We aim to support those working in regional food systems across the UK and the Crown Dependencies.
Transforming Regional Food Systems
The Food System Prize is a flagship initiative of the Regen Gathering Jersey, supported by Lloyds Bank Crown Dependencies, Evelyn Partners, the Channel Islands Co-op, the Crown and Woven. It is designed to catalyse innovation and resilience within regional food systems.
Why Regional?
We believe food connects every aspect of the challenges we currently face, from the health of an ageing population, to food resilience and security, the cost of living, and ecological well-being. Food is the common thread. Ensuring food security at the regional level is critical, and not always easy.
Regional food systems provide communities with market sovereignty.
They can improve ecological outcome and water management through improving soil, biodiversity, and climate resilience and interconnected strategies.
Regional food systems can promote inclusive food solutions that support public health, by building supply networks that distribute nutrient dense food to social markets.
Regional resilience is not always about efficiency; it's about building strong local food economies. Thriving local economies rely on interconnected businesses, but they often lack essential infrastructure and require a structural approach. Investing in infrastructure—'the missing middle'—along with innovations in supply chains, nutrient cycling, and food-as-medicine initiatives, is key to enhancing both productivity and food resilience.
By nurturing regenerative startups, we can build food systems that restore the planet, empower communities, and improve long-term health and longevity outcomes.
Good food strategies need a good understanding of place, with businesses built on relationships, and understanding of context.
Award Objectives
Support Innovation: Back bold business models integrating regenerative practices.
Promote Regeneration: Champion soil health, biodiversity, and local resilience.
Strengthen Community: Connect entrepreneurs, farmers, and change makers.
Improve Health: Address issues linked to disease and the food system - linking business with their communities and making health a material outcome of the food system.
Award Details
Total Funding: £20,000
- £15,000 in direct cash funding for overall winner
- £5,000 for Channel Island Winner
- £5,000 in-kind support (mentorship, workshops, networking)
Includes: Exploration of route to market with a cooperative support network
*if applicable and the correct standards are met.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, your business must:
Be based in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or operating at a UK regional level
Newcomers, entrepreneurs and establish organisations
Be a social impact business or commercial business (e.g. Ltd, CIC, LBG, LTD, NFP — Charities not eligible)
Show a clear commitment to regenerative food systems
Contribute towards local food security, environment, resilience, and health outcomes
Judging Panel
This prize will be judge by industry leaders across the food system and within policy.
How to Apply
Send 500 words describing your business, with your innovative concept to build resilience in regional food systems. Detail the place and the problem you are solving as well as the resources you require.
Once this has been received you will be sent a short questionnaire, to support your application and provide clear marking criteria.
The deadline for this application is October 25th, 2025.
