Just Food: Exploring Faith and Food Justice
In our interconnected world, making clear choices about food can feel overwhelming. Conflicting information and a deeper awareness of food production processes make it challenging to know how to align our choices with our values. At The Arthur Rank Centre, we believe that food is more than just sustenance—it is deeply connected to our faith, justice, and our responsibility as stewards of creation.
With funding from the St Peter’s Saltley Trust, we’ve developed this work as a unique resource designed to stimulate conversation about food, ethics, and justice. This project helps us explore questions like:
- How do the ways we produce and consume food affect the environment and society?
- What does it mean to treat animals and land ethically in food production?
- How can we align our choices with social justice and Christian values?
‘Beyond Consumerism’ invites us to consider the difference between being passive food consumers and active food citizens—people who care about the way our food is produced, and the impact it has on communities, creation, and future generations.
Six Key Themes for Reflection
The resource is structured around six themes:
1 Environment: Caring for creation through sustainable food choices.
2 Producers: Supporting farmers and workers in ethical food systems.
3 Social Justice: Addressing hunger and food access.
4 Animal Welfare: Ethical treatment of animals in food production.
5 Food Production: Examining ethical practices from farm to table.
6 The Sacrament: Food’s spiritual significance in Christian worship.
Each theme has a Bible Commentary, Discussion Questions, Event Suggestions, and Activity Ideas. Click below each section to discover these…
Se let’s begin…
1. Environment: Caring for Creation
How does the way we grow, produce, and transport food impact the environment? As Christians, we are called to care for creation, but modern food systems often contribute to environmental degradation. This theme explores how we can align our food choices with the call to stewardship of God’s creation.
Click here to explore more on environmental stewardship in food production
.
2. Producers: Supporting the Hands That Feed Us
Behind every meal are the farmers, workers, and producers who make it possible. This theme focuses on the human element in the food chain, reflecting on the importance of fair wages, ethical working conditions, and support for small-scale farmers.
Click here to discover ways to support fair trade and local food producers
3. Social Justice: Food for All
Food security is a global issue, and many people face hunger or lack access to nutritious food. This theme reflects on the biblical imperative to care for the poor and vulnerable, and how we can act in solidarity to address inequalities in food distribution.
Click here to read reflections on food justice and the Christian response
4. Animal Welfare: Respecting God’s Creatures
The treatment of animals in food production is a matter of ethical concern. This theme encourages reflection on how we can show respect for God’s creatures in the choices we make about meat, dairy, and other animal products.
Click here to learn more about Christian perspectives on animal welfare
5. Food Production: From Farm to Fork
From industrial agriculture to organic farming, this theme explores the complex journey of food production. It raises questions about the ethical implications of different farming practices and encourages reflection on how our food reaches our tables.
Click here to reflect on ethical food production and its implications
6. The Sacrament: Food as a Spiritual Act
Food plays a central role in Christian worship, from the breaking of bread, to the call to hospitality. This theme delves into the sacramental nature of food and how sharing meals can become a spiritual practice that reflects God’s love and generosity.
Click here explore the deeper connections between food and faith
Rural Talk: Food Conversations in Your Community
To accompany this toolkit, we’ve produced ‘Rural Talk – Just Food’ conversation starters.
In collaboration with The Ugly Duckling Company we’ve developed this unique resource designed to stimulate conversation about food, ethics, and justice.
This helps us explore questions like:
- How do the ways we produce and consume food affect the environment and society?
- What does it mean to treat animals and land ethically in food production?
- How can we align our choices with social justice and Christian values?
‘Just Food’ invites us to consider the difference between being passive food consumers and active food citizens—people who care about the way our food is produced, and the impact it has on communities, creation, and future generations.
Designed for ease of use, these compact cards can be used in any setting to open up meaningful discussions about food. They are perfect for informal gatherings, church groups, café church, or even mealtime conversations. To order a set, priced at £5 + p&p please email us here
Festival resources
The Arthur Rank Centre offers a variety of festival resources designed to support rural congregations and communities throughout the year, each with helpful information on the festival, beautiful prayers, fun activities and a range of suggestions for music for a variety of settings:
Plough Sunday
Celebrated early in the year, Plough Sunday honours the start of the agricultural year, focusing on the blessing of the plough and giving thanks for the land.
[Plough Sunday Resource]
Rogation Sunday
Traditionally held in spring, Rogation services ask for God’s blessing on crops and the land, with processions and prayers through fields or gardens.
[Rogation Sunday Resource]
Earth Day
A guide for environmental awareness and care of creation, celebrated annually in April:
[Earth Day Resource]
Lent
Seasonal reflections and resources for preparing for Easter in rural congregations:
[Lent Resource]
World Environment Day
Resources focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability, suitable for rural congregations:
[World Environment Day Resource]
Lammas
Observed on August 1st, Lammas, or “loaf mass,” is an ancient thanksgiving for the first fruits of the harvest, celebrated with bread-making and community gatherings.
[Lammas Resource]
Harvest Festival
This autumn festival is a time of gratitude for the gathered crops, featuring prayers, hymns, and activities celebrating creation and community.
[Harvest Resource]
St. Francis Day
Observed on October 4th, this day celebrates creation care and animal welfare, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
[St. Francis Day Resource]
Advent
These resources support the weeks leading to Christmas, focusing on themes of hope, waiting, and preparation. [Advent Resource]
Join the Conversation
We’re excited to bring this resource to communities across the UK. Whether you’re in a rural community or an urban setting, ‘Just Food’ provides a way to engage with these vital issues through conversation and reflection. Why not head to our Facebook page, and bring your thoughts, and pictures where you have gathered to use these varied resources… The Arthur Rank Centre Facebook Page