There have been a few staffing changes here at GFO over the summer, and we would like to take the opportunity to welcome our three new non-executive directors; Susan Thomas, Veronica Barry and Madeleine Bastawrous.

We asked them to write a short bio about themselves and their interest in sustainable food.

Susan has worked in the food industry for 25 years, currently as head of sustainability at Asda and previously in sales and marketing strategy roles at PepsiCo and Kantar (a research and consulting company).  Susan has worked on increasing sales of healthier, more sustainable foods in her professional roles and is responsible for the redistribution of food waste and improved sustainability of supply chains for Asda.  She is particularly passionate about the accessibility and affordability of good food and about collaboration between all areas of society towards a thriving food system.  Susan has 2 primary school aged children and hence no time for any hobbies (apart from food)!

Veronica started off milking goats at Surrey Docks City Farm in South London, and is passionate about connecting people to food and food production. She was lucky enough to spend a year as intern on Iain Tolhurst's  market garden in Pangbourne,  growing organic vegetables round the seasons for households in Oxford and surrounds. She moved on for 15 years to Sandwell in the West Midlands, to develop community agriculture programmes, including establishment of large community food and therapeutic horticulture projects from derelict land, and linking to public health. In 2022, she completed a PHD exploring links between urban food systems, public health and planning at Birmingham City University. She believes good food needs to be accessible, available and equitable for all communities to enjoy.

Madeleine is a Doctor specialising in Paediatrics with a passion for child and family Public Health.  Alongside this she is training to be a teacher part-time and she works closely with her local primary school where she is a Governor and runs the school kitchen garden. She is a mother of 3 children aged 4-11.  Previously she co-founded a sourdough bakery in Kenya. Her passion, and reason for being part of Good Food Oxfordshire, is improving or changing systems to ensure everyone can access healthy food and make choices that benefit their health and that of the planet.