Field notes from June - politics, plates & parties

What I’ve learnt from leading climate and food voices this month.

Author

Sam Ratanji
June 26, 2026

Hi there,

Welcome to The Life Larder! This newsletter serves up a bite-sized menu of stories and ideas about making food that’s not only delicious but also healthy and sustainable.

Each issue is packed with inspiring articles, flavourful ideas, and voices from across the vibrant food world. Think of me as your friendly guide, helping you create meals that nourish your body, delight your taste buds, and care for our planet. Treat this newsletter like a personal larder - always stocked with something you’ll love.

Hello! It’s been a very busy (and very hot!) June over here. June in London (and a little further out) is filled with events focussing on sustainability, soil and food. I’ve been involved in curating chef focussed forums (Chef’s Manifesto), London Climate Action Week events & got out of the city to attend the Ark Summit on a very special farm in the Cotswolds. Next week is Groundswell - then perhaps a little break!

This week I’ve written about the headlines I’ve seen coming out at the events I’ve been to - the message has shifted this year and it will be interesting to see how much real change is made to our plates and our pockets over the coming months. 

Before you tuck in…

Here’s some ways you can work with me 👇

🔪 Private Cheffing & Retreats – Bespoke menus that nourish, fuel, and taste incredible. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a wellness retreat, or day to day high-performance nutrition, I bring the flavour and the science.

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📦 Brand Consulting – Helping food brands create products that are as good for people as they are for the planet. Strategy, product development, recipes and nutrition-led storytelling.

📝 Writing & Editorial – As a Guild of Food Writers member, I contribute to leading publications on all things food, health, and sustainability.

📩 Interested? Say hello at [email protected]

Bites

Tasty bites from the corners of the internet this week.

  • Come see me speak at Groundswell next week - Wednesday 1st July, 11am in the Earthworm Arms. I’ll be talking about foods to celebrate now for planet & our own health

  • If you’re not coming to Groundswell, but fancy a day out at a Salad Party (yes - you read right!) I’ll be at RHS Wisley on the 23rd July in the world food garden making salad canapes and talking about why we should be putting more leaves on our plates. Timings tbc.

  • Why did your protein powder just get a lot more expensive?

Stories and insights from experts and yours truly

How soil is shaping our plates: what I’ve learnt from leading climate and food voices.

Spoiler alert: food is becoming political.

Speaking at Chef’s Manifesto: Who shapes our food habits?

June in the UK is a flurry of climate and sustainability events - focussed at people at every step of the food system. My work crosses soil, cheffing & nutrition which means I attend a smorgasbord of events to get a real ‘view from the hill’. Here are my top takeaways from the month.

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