Morgan is a professor of governance and development in the School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University. His research has involved, among other things, the issues of food, sustainability and public procurement.
The book will help inform the discussion about the key issues facing the industry, including funding, the food system, and seeing spending on public food as an investment. Professor Morgan was named on PSC's Most Influential list and will be attending the round-table event at the House of Commons.
‘Serving the Public: The Good Food Revolution in Schools, Hospitals and Prisons’ has been written for a more general audience. It aims to shed light on the vital role public institutions play by exploring strategies and policies aimed at enhancing food quality in schools, hospitals and other public sector institutions.
His new book draws on over 20 years of research into public food systems in and beyond the UK. At the PSC Alliance Forum he shared some initial thoughts and findings ahead of its release.
He said: “The social significance of the public plate is so much greater than its economic value might suggest because of the special nature of its beneficiaries. Although pupils, patients and prisoners are radically different people they all have one thing in common - they are highly vulnerable people in need of a nutritious diet.
“In schools I examine the ‘whole school approach’ and the twin challenges of universality and plant-based menus. In healthcare I examine the Sisyphean task of providing clinical solutions to the societal problem of ultra-processed foods. And in prisons I examine the defects of the carceral diet and use the example of The Clink to show that good food offers hope and dignity to help prisoners rehabilitate themselves.”
Drawing on evidence from the UK, US and Sweden, Professor Morgan’s new book highlights how public institutions are harnessing the power of purchase to secure public health, social justice and ecological integrity. To buy a copy of the book, visit here.