Search

Professor Martin Caraher

Emeritus Professor of Food and Health Policy

School of Health & Medical Sciences Department of Population Health and Policy

Contact details

About

Overview

Martin is Emeritus Professor of Food and Health Policy at the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London. He originally trained as an environmental health officer in Dublin. After working in the north west of Ireland he developed an interest in the public health and health promotion aspects of the work. He spent some time working in the Irish and the English health services managing health promotion and public health services respectively.

He has worked for and acted as a consultant to the UK Dept of Health, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation. He was a trustee of the Caroline Walker trust. He was a member of the original London Food Board which developed the food strategy for London. He was a member of the Olympic Food Group representing public health interests on behalf of public health in the region. He also sat on the South East Food and Public Health Group which developed a food strategy for the SE region and from which the London food strategy emerged.

He currently acts as an advisor on food matters to a number of social science research groups across Europe, as well he is an advisor to the European Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (DG Sanco). He is a member of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) scientific committee. He sits on the safefood Irl scientific committee, which is an all -Ireland body set up under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. He has been involved in the following:

- Bristol food strategy

- Brighton and Hove food policy

- Islington Food Policy and Hearty Islington

- Policy for fast food outlets in Tower Hamlets, Barking & Dagenham, Merseyside and Glasgow

- Member of the Scottish Food and Drink Policy Group

- Member of the Scottish Food Research Working Group

- Advisor to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology on Nutritional Standards in UK Schools, 2009

- Advisor to the Glasgow Centre for Population Health

- Advisor to the International Federation for Home Economics on global aspects of food policy

- Chair of the Healthy Communities Collaborative

- Member of the Olympic Food Group

- Advisor to the BMA on children's' food choices

-NICE Advisory group on prevention of coronary heart disease

He was the 2008 HealthWays (West Australia) scholar and spent two months in Perth, WA examining issues of access to food and food banks (Aus$20K). During this period he worked with local service providers, policy makers and academics. He was the Thinker in residence at Deakin, University, Melbourne in 2012/13 (see http://youtu.be/UabUGsqVgIc).

Martin regularly reviews for a wide range of journals and organisations ranging from Public Health Nutrition to Social Science and Medicine.

He regularly appears on TV and radio in relation to food issues.

Qualifications

  • PhD, London South Bank University, United Kingdom, 1993 - 1997
  • MSc Health Promotion, King's College London, United Kingdom, 1987 - 1988
  • PG Diploma in Health Education, University of Ulster, United Kingdom, 1984 - 1985
  • Diploma in Environmental Health, University of Dublin, Ireland, 1975 - 1978

Employment

  • Professor of Food and Health Policy, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2009 - present
  • Reader in Food and Health Policy, CIty, University of London, United Kingdom, 2002 - 2009
  • Reader in Food and Social Policy, Thames Valley University, United Kingdom, 2000 - 2002
  • Senior Lecturer, Queen Charlotte's School of Nursing, United Kingdom, 1993 - 2000
  • Director of Health Promotion Services, Ealing Health Authority, United Kingdom, 1988 - 1991
  • Health Education Officer, Western Health Board, Ireland, 1981 - 1987
  • Environmental Health Officer, North Western Health Board, Donegal & Sligo, Ireland, 1978 - 1981

Expertise

Geographic Areas

  • Australia & Oceania
  • Europe - Western

Research

Martin has worked extensively on issues related to food poverty, cooking skills, local sustainable food supplies, the role of markets and co-ops in promoting health, farmers markets, food deserts & food access, retail concentration and globalisation.

Current Research Interests

- The role of local food projects in promoting health
- Access to food in urban areas
- The contribution of local food projects to health and wellbeing
- A review of the planning process in promoting food and health
- The role of food markets in promoting health and well-being
- Farmers markets and new selling spaces
- Food co-operatives and social enterprises
- Food Banks and welfare policies
- Cooking skills among young people and the changing nature of food skills and the culinary transition
- Health literacy including cooking as a key skill
- Food safety in the household setting - the role of food literacy
- Urban spaces and policy development
- Food security and food banks

Recent Work

Recent work has focused on the impact of food advertising on children's food choices and the impact of advertising regulation. In addition he has been developing work in schools and this has included work for the UK Dept of Health, the World Health Organization (Europe) on school feeding programmes in Latvia and for the World Bank on school food in Lesotho.

He is working with colleagues in Australia in the Coalition on Food Advertising to Children, sharing ideas and resources. His interests in sustainability come from the perspective of local food chains and the attempts by social enterprises to build sustainability into their work.

Research students

Amanda McCloat

Thesis title: “An Investigation of the impact of formal food based teaching curricula, such as Home Economics in post primary schools, on the culinary skills, food literacy, nutritional knowledge, eating habits and health of adolescents on the Island of Ireland."

Anita Tull

Thesis title: Why teach young people to cook: A critical review of the UK.

Georgia Machell

Thesis title: Welfare food: the relationship between policy and practice

Harvey Ells

Thesis title: Street food markets and consumer wellbeing: a study at four developed urban city centres.

Lynne Richards

Thesis title: Lay community health advisors: a UK Canadian comparison of policy

Raquel Ajates

Thesis title: Agricultural cooperatives and food system sustainability: the case of Spain and the UK

Rebecca Wells

Thesis title: Emerging research on food, nutrition and cancer prevention – how and why it is reported by the UK news media and the implications for food policy.

Sharon Noonan Gunning

Thesis title: Parents: the ‘unheard stakeholders’ in child obesity policy: a sociological study of false consciousness

Connie St Louis

Thesis title: What is a Science Journalist for?

Publications

Publications by category

Books (10)

  • Caraher, M. and Furey, S. (2026). UK Food Policy History: Economic, Social and Political Influences. Abingdon, Oxon: Earthscan from Routledge. ISBN 9781032986821.
  • Caraher, M. and Furey, S. (2025). UK Food Policy History. Routledge.
  • Caraher, M., Coveney, J. and Chopra, M. (Eds.), (2023). Handbook of Food Security and Society. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800378438.
  • Caraher, M., Furey, S. and Wells, R. (2023). Food Policy in the United Kingdom. Routledge.
  • Caraher, M. and Furey, S. (2018). The Economics of Emergency Food Aid Provision. Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783319785059.
  • Caraher, M. and Coveney, J. (2016). Food Poverty and Insecurity: International Food inequalities. Switzerland: Springer.
  • Lang, T., Barling, D. and Caraher, M. (2009). Food Policy. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198567882.
  • Lang, T., Barling, D. and Caraher, M. (2009). Food policy. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 9780198567882.
  • Caraher, M. (2000). Lifespan Development in a Mixed Economy of Care. W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 9780443057366.
  • Caraher, M. and Marks-Moran, D. (1996). Psychological Aspects of Caring in a Mixed Economy. Open Learning Foundation, W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 9780443057335.

Chapters (42)

  • Caraher, M. and Furey, S. (2025). Introduction. In Caraher, M. and Furey, S. (Eds.), UK Food Policy History: Economic, Social and Political Influences Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 9781032986821.
  • Furey, S. and Caraher, M. (2025). Ultra-processed foods. Elgar Encyclopedia of Food and Society (pp. 486-490). Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800887428.
  • Caraher, M. (2023). Global philanthropy and welfare capitalism: private-sector approaches to food insecurity. Handbook of Food Security and Society (pp. 231-241). Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800378438.
  • Jomori, M.M., Maciel, B.L.L., Zimmermann, S.A. and Caraher, M. (2023). Food insecurity policy in Brazil: responses and challenges. Handbook of Food Security and Society (pp. 256-276). Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800378438.
  • Caraher, M., Coveney, J. and Chopra, M. (2023). Introduction to the Handbook of Food Security and Society. Handbook of Food Security and Society (pp. 1-25). Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800378438.
  • McCloat, A. and Caraher, M. (2023). Home economics curriculum policy in Ireland. Food Futures in Education and Society (pp. 102-115). Routledge.
  • McCloat, A. and Caraher, M. (2023). HOME ECONOMICS CURRICULUM POLICY IN IRELAND: Lessons for policy development. Food Futures in Education and Society (pp. 102-115).
  • Caraher, M, , Coveney, J., Chopra, M. and Caraher, M. (2023). Preface in Handbook of Food Security and Society. In Caraher, M., Coveney, J. and Chopra, M. (Eds.), Handbook of Food Security and Society (pp. v-xviii). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. ISBN 9781800378438.
  • Caraher, M. (2022). Food systems and food poverty. A Research Agenda for Food Systems (pp. 111-128).
  • (2020). Food Advertising and Marketing. In SAGE Publications, Inc.. ISBN 9781483375533.
  • In Rutland, M. and Turner, A. (Eds.), (2020). Food Education and Food Technology in School Curricula. In Springer International Publishing. ISBN 9783030393380.
  • Caraher, M. and Murray, S. (2019). Food Retail and Distribution; A focus on supermarkets. In Lawrence, M. and Friel, S. (Eds.), Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems (pp. 93-100). Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 9780815393269.
  • In Lawrence, M. and Friel, S. (Eds.), (2019). Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems. In Routledge.
  • Caraher, M. (2019). Food and Health Policy. Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics (pp. 1017-1031). Springer Netherlands. ISBN 9789402411782.
  • Wells, R. and Caraher, M. (2017). From Food Advertising to Digital Engagements: Future Challenges for Public Health. In LeBesco, K. and Naccarato, P. (Eds.), The Bloomsbury Handbook of Food and Popular Culture (pp. 245-259). London: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781474296243.
  • Caraher, M. (2016). Food literacy beyond the individual: The nexus between personal skills and victim blaming. Food Literacy Key Concepts for Health and Education (pp. 118-133).
  • Vidgen, H. and Caraher, M. (2016). Food literacy: Key concepts and the elephants in the room. Food Literacy Key Concepts for Health and Education (pp. 238-243).
  • Wells, R. and Caraher, M. (2016). Britain’s Hidden Hungry?: The Portrayal of Food Bank Users in the UK National Press. Praxis of Social Inequality in Media A Global Perspective (pp. 39-60).
  • Ronson, D. and Caraher, M. (2016). Food Bank: Big Society or Shunting yards? Successful Failures. In Caraher, M. and Coveney, J. (Eds.), Food Poverty and Insecurity: International Food inequalities (pp. 79-88). Switzerland: Springer.
  • Caraher, M. and Dowler, E. (2014). Food for Poorer People: Conventional and 'Alternative' Transgressions. In Goodman M, and Sage C, (Eds.), Food Transgressions Making Sense of Contemporary Food Politics (pp. 227-246). Farnham Surrey: Ashgate. ISBN 9780754679707.
  • Caraher, M. (2014). Food and Health Policy. Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics (pp. 804-818). Springer Netherlands. ISBN 9789400709287.
  • Lang, T.M. and Caraher, M. (2013). Influencing international policy. In Guest, C., Ricciardi, W., Kawachi, I. and Lang, I. (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Public Health Practice Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199586301.
  • Caraher, M. Food habits and nutrition globalization and its implications in 'Culinary Arts and Sciences: global, local and national perspectives' . In Rodrigues, S., Marques, H. and Dias, F.D. (Eds.), Culinary Arts and Sciences: global, local and national perspectives (pp. 18-21). Porto Portugal: Association of Portuguese Nutritionists. ISBN 9789898631084.
  • Bock, B.B. and Caraher, M. (2012). Integrating health, environment and society-introducing a new arena. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning: Evolving Theory and Practice (pp. 173-180). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Caraher, M. and Machell, G. (2012). Defining food co-ops. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning (pp. 223-232). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Caraher, M. and Machell, G. (2012). Defining food co-ops. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning (pp. 223-232). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Machell, G. and Caraher, M. (2012). Chapter 10 The role of municipal markets in urban food strategies: a case study. Sustainable food planning: evolving theory and practice (pp. 127-136). Brill | Wageningen Academic. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Caraher, M. and Machell, G. (2012). Defining food co-ops. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning: evolving theory and practice (pp. 221-229). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Machell, G. and Caraher, M. (2012). The role of municipal markets in urban food strategies: a case study. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning: evolving theory and practice (pp. 125-133). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Bock, B.B. and Caraher, M. (2012). Integrating health, environment and society- introducing a new agenda. In Viljoen, A.M. and Wiskerke, J.S.C. (Eds.), Sustainable Food Planning: evolving theory and practice (pp. 171-178). Wageningen Academic Pub. ISBN 9789086861873.
  • Lang, T.M., Caraher, M. and Wu, M. (2010). Meat and Policy: Charting a Course Through the Complexity. In D'Silva, J. and Webster, J. (Eds.), The Meat Crisis Earthscan / James & James. ISBN 9781844079032.
  • Caraher, M., Cowburn, G. and Coveney, J. (2008). Project Management. In Lawrence, M. and Worsley, T. (Eds.), Public health nutrition (pp. 389-421). ISBN 9781741751024.
  • Caraher, M. (2008). Sustainability- considering the pillars of sustainability as a theoretical paradigm. In Pendergast D (Ed) Home economics: referencing the past; creating the future. Proceedings of the XXI International Federation for Home Economics World Congress, July 26-31, 2008, Lucerne, Switzerland. In Congress, I.F.F.H.E.W., Economics, I.F.F.H. and Association, I.F.F.H.E.W.C.S. (Eds.), Home economics: referencing the past; creating the future. Proceedings of the XXI International Federation for Home Economics World Congress, July 26-31, 2008, Lucerne, Switzerland (pp. 55-66). Switzerland: IFHE Switzerland. ISBN 9783981239317.
  • Caraher, M. and Drummond, C. (2007). The Imperative for Consultation and Involvement in Child Nutrition Research: Adding Perspectives from Qualitative Research. In Child Nutrition Research Advances. In Carter, L.V. (Ed.), Child nutrition research advances (pp. 111-130). Nova Science Pub Inc. ISBN 9781600218491.
  • Caraher, M. and Dowler, E. (2007). Inequalities in Food and nutrition; Challenging; Lifestyles. In Dowler, E. (Ed.), Challenging health inequalities (pp. 127-155). Policy Pr. ISBN 9781861348999.
  • Caraher, M. and Carr-Hill, R. (2007). Taxation and public health: 'Sin taxes' or structured approaches. In Galea, S. (Ed.), Macrosocial determinants of population health (pp. 211-232). Springer Verlag. ISBN 9780387708119.
  • Caraher, M. and Landon, J. (2006). The Impact of Advertising on Food Choice: The Social Context of Advertising. In Shepherd, R. and Raats, M. (Eds.), The psychology of food choice (pp. 227-245). CABI. ISBN 9780851990323.
  • Caraher, M. and Lang, T. (2005). Food, Health and Globalisation: Is Health Promotion Still Relevant? In Scriven, A. and Garman, S. (Eds.), Promoting health (pp. 90-105). ISBN 9781403921376.
  • Caraher, M. (2003). Food Protest and the New Activism. In John, S., T.S. (Ed.), New Activism and the Corporate Response (pp. 185-205). London: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781403903112.
  • Caraher, M. (2002). Food and health: national and international policy perspectives. In Adams, L. and Amos, M. (Eds.), Promoting Health: Politics and Practice (pp. 46-51). Sage Publications Ltd. ISBN 9780761968337.
  • Barling, D., Lang T, and Caraher, M. (2002). Food, Social Policy and the Environment: Towards a New Model. In Cahill, M. and Fitzpatrick, T. (Eds.), Environmental issues and social welfare (pp. 70-90). Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9780631235521.
  • lang T, and Caraher, M. (2001). International Public Health. In Pencheon, D. and Melzer, (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Public Health (pp. 168-176). Oxford:: Oxford University Press,.

Conference papers and proceedings (6)

  • Shiach, A., Tan, M. and Caraher, M. What’s in the box? Repeated cross-sectional surveys of United Kingdom recipe box healthiness; 2018 & 2023. .doi:10.1017/s002966512510075x
  • Verstraeten, R., Caraher, M., Raats, K., Penalvo, J.L., Gomes, F., Miller, R.... Matthys, C. Creative thinking as an innovative approach to tackle nutrition in times of economic crises. .doi:10.1111/nbu.12078
  • Caraher, M. A CHALLENGE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION IN A TIME OF AUSTERITY. .
  • Heslop, K., Anderson, A., Corder, K., Doe, S.J., Johnston, S., Caraher, M.... Bourke, S. COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) FOR PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF). .
  • Anderson, A., Doe, S.J., Heslop, K., Caraher, M. and Bourke, S.J. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: COMPLICATIONS ARISING IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS SURVIVING INTO MIDDLE AGE. .
  • Doe, S.J., Anderson, A., Heslop, K., Caraher, M., Gascoigne, A.D. and Bourke, S.J. Women with cystic fibrosis (CF) undertaking pregnancy now have similar disease severity to the overall CF population. .

Journal articles (146)

Performance

Reports (20)

  • Coveney, J., Caraher, M. and Susan, B. (2017). Social Solidarity Enterprises – A brief overview. Adealaide: Flinders University.
  • Caraher, M., Lloyd, S., Everett, C., McConnel, J., Mansfield, M. and Brewster, Z. (2013). Children’s food choices on the streets around schools in Haringey: A wall of crisps and other food choices. Centre for Food Policy, City University of London: Centre for Food Policy, City University of London.
  • Smith, J., Machell, G. and Caraher, M. (2012). MLFW Food Co-ops evaluation: final report. City University London: Centre for Food Policy. ISBN 9781900804493.
  • Caraher, M. and LLoyd, S. (2010). Fish and chips with a side order of Trans fat: The nutrition implications of eating from fastfood outlets: a report on eating out in eastLondon.. ISBN 9781900804424.
  • Caraher, M., Lloyd, S. and Madelin, T. (2009). The School Foodshed: Fast food and schools. Centre for Food Policy, City University. ISBN 9781900804455.
  • Caraher, M., Lloyd, S. and Madelin, T. (2009). Cheap as Chicken: Fast Food Outlets in Tower Hamlets. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.: Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.
  • Caraher, M., Wu, M. and Seeley, A. (2009). ACA Chefs Adopt a School: An evaluation. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London: Centre for Food Policy, City University; London. ISBN 9781900804431.
  • Caraher, M., Lloyd, S. and Crawley, H. (2009). Nutrition policy in the four administrative areas of the UK. CWT; London..
  • Caraher, M., Lloyd, S. and Horsley, (2008). A Tale of two Cities; Food access in Preston. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.
  • Caraher, M., Wu, M. and Seeley, A. (2008). A moveable feast Evidence for school based cooking interventions to improve children’s food behaviours and diets. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.: Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.
  • Caraher, M. and Richards, L. (2007). An Evaluation of the Community Nutrition Assistant Training Programme Camden. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London..
  • Caraher, M., Dass, S. and Berggreen, A. (2007). An Evaluation of the Shoreditch Spa Healthy Eating Programme. Shoreditch Spa; London. Shoreditch Spa; London/Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.: Shoreditch Spa; London/Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.
  • Caraher, M., Davis, L. and Barry, V. (2006). Neighbourhood Renewal Fund ‘Eatwell in Sandwell’ 2004-6: Successes, challenges, learning outcomes and opportunities. Final Evaluation Report June 2006. Ital Associates; Oxford/ Centre for Food Policy, City University, London.
  • Caraher, M., Bowyer, S., Duane, T. and Carr-Hill, R. (2006). Shopping for Food: Accessing healthy affordable food in three areas of Hackney. Centre for Food Policy, City University; London.. ISBN 9781900804448.
  • Davis, L. and Caraher, M. (2006). Evaluation of the Islington Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Staying alive Project 2004-2006. Final report, June 2006. London: City University.: London: City University.
  • Davis, L., Caraher, M. and Measures, M. (2005). Growing a Healthy Food Economy: Linking Producers with Public Sector Purchasers. Hereford: Bulmer Foundation: Bulmer Foundation.
  • Hastings, G., Stead, M., MCDermott, L., MAcKintosh, A., Rayner, M. and Caraher, M. (2003). Review of the research on the effects of food promotion to children. Glasgow: Centre for Social Marketing. Glasgow: Glasgow: Centre for Social Marketing.
  • Caraher, M. (2003). TV advertising and children: A policy analysis..
  • Caraher, M. and Wu, M. Evaluation of Good Food Training for London Final Report December 2009. Centre for Food Policy School of Community and Health Sciences City University London. ISBN 9781900804417.
  • Public and Corporate Economic Consultants, Draft Report into the Feasibility of a Social Supermarket in Northern Ireland..

Professional activities

Editorial activity (5)

  • Section EDITOR ON JOINT PUBLICATION with Betina Bock Title: Planning for sustainable food systems. Editors: Andre Viljoen & Han Wisekerke Publishers: Wageningen Academic Publishers Publication: due late summer 2011..
  • Public Health Nutrition Special Issue On: Sustainability and Public Health Nutrition Submission Due Date: 15 March 2014 Full Details at: http://journals.cambridge.org/images/fileUpload/images/PHN_call_for_papers_nov13.pdf Guest Editors: Associate Professor Mark Lawrence, Dr Barbara Burlingame, Prof Colin D Butler, Prof Martin Caraher, Prof Michelle Holdsworth, Dr Roni Neff, Dr Lada Timotijevic, Public Health Nutrition (PHN) seeks original manuscripts for a Special Issue on “Sustainability and Public Health Nutrition” scheduled to appear in 2015. By the year 2050, our global agricultural and food systems will need to be able to produce enough to feed 9-10 billion people. Besides its negative environmental effects, continuing our current systems of food production, distribution, and consumption will likely have measurable, negative consequences on food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and obesity. Although the magnitude of its health impact remains uncertain, it will likely affect the frequency and severity of health risks, especially in developing countries and in vulnerable populations internationally. Changing our food systems towards sustainability while also meeting food demands will require a shared understanding of current status and trends, and collaborative efforts involving the public and private sectors, community participation, and researchers across multiple disciplines..
  • Editorial Board Anthropology of Food www.revues.org/aof.
  • Editorial Board International Journal of Consumer Studies.
  • Guest Editors British Food Journal Special Edition Professor Martin Caraher Centre for Food Policy, City University London. email m.caraher@city.ac.uk Professor Alessio Cavicchi, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Italy email a.cavicchi@unimc.it pp 1386-1391 Food aid and providing for the most disadvantaged in society has been a feature of communities since societies came together. In the great depression of the 1920/30s food banks became a means of delivering food to the many who were destitute and without work. Post WWII saw the emergence of nation states where social solidarity was embedded in welfare and rights and there was move away from food charity or philanthropy and the concept of the undeserving poor. During this time food banks reverted to an emergency food role filling in gaps and faults in state provision, often distributing to those who fell outside the formal welfare system such as the homeless and illegal immigrants. However, since the 2007 global economic crises we have seen the reemergence of food banks as a way of providing aid in society ,no longer merely filling gaps but becoming the main providers of food for an increasing number in society, and is related to: • The withdrawal by the state from food welfare as a means of cost saving; • The need for emergency and quick responses. Other relevant issues include the realization of the amount of waste in the food system with food banks and food pantries being seen as acceptable ways of redistributing this food as well as the development of the “foodbank plus model” . Call for papers The guest editors of this Special Issue are seeking contributions from across the spectrum of food aid and emergency food responses research. We are interested in both empirical research articles as well as conceptual pieces. In this regard we welcome papers covering (but not limited to) the following topics: • What is/ are food banks? What are the core or common components of a food bank, are there cultural differences within and between countries? How do different structures, models of provision and countries compare? • Tensions and collaborations between food banks and intergovernmental organizations • What is the evidence that food banks address: o food insecurity or o increase dependence and widen inequality and food insecurity? • Examples of faith based food welfare provision/non denominational food provision. • What are the views/opinions of food bank users? • Who are the users of food banks? Are there new groups of users and what are their attitudes to food banks ? • What do we know about the attitudes and views of those running food banks including volunteers? • What is the evidence for the impact of food banks on the health and diet of users/recipients • Lessons for the developed world from the developing world, eg the peasant and landless movements role in tackling food insecurity. • What does ‘food bank plus’’ look like, are there merging example of food aid which offer new and innovative solutions to simply providing those in need with food. • How food banks relate to orthodox models of food retailing eg in economic or food safety terms • How the collaboration with food banks (sponsorships, donations, etc…) can affect image, reputation and CSR of agro-food firms and retailers? Is this collaboration perceived as a source of competitive advantage? Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies are welcomed as well as conceptual or policy based discussions on the role, place and future look of food banks. Submission instructions • Manuscripts should be between 3,000 and 6,000 words and formatted according to the journal author guidelines. • Submissions must be received by 1st February 2014 via the online submission system Scholar One Manuscripts: • Authors should indicate that the manuscript is for this special issue by selecting this from the dropdown list on Scholar One Manuscripts. For further information Please see the journal homepage: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/bfj or contact the guest editors..

Media appearances (2)

  • Who's feeding Ireland. TV prog on RTÉ as commentator
  • The Next Station Martin Caraher - Food security. 01.03.13 The Next Station http://www.nextstation.com.au/food-security-depends-on-keeping-it-local/ Martin Caraher - Food security

Radio programmes (3)

  • Drivetime radio. RET 1 (2013). Advertising to children
  • R. BBC world service (2013). Food waste Between 6 and 7 tonight Martin will be representing City on the BBC World Service (radio) discussing this issue,
  • Morning Ireland. RTÉ 2 (2011). INTERVIEW ON FOOD POVERTY IN IRELAND

Television programmes (3)

  • What's Ireland Eating? presented by Philip Boucher Hayes. RTE one (2013).
  • BBC News. BBC News (2013). Food waste
  • The EU MDP Proggramme. Numerous European ones (2011). Interview headshot as commentator on the MDP programme