A purpose and values driven consultancy which aims to transform food systems so they are sustainable, healthy, equitable and fair.
Tasting the Future was established in 2018 by me, its Founder and Director, Mark Driscoll. I am a confident, motivational and inspirational leader who is passionate about the need to transform food systems to address some of the most pressing social, economic, environmental and health challenges we confront in the 21st century. I use a food systems approach to support NGOs, intergovernmental organisations, funders and food businesses in strategy development, managing complex projects, stakeholder engagement, research and policy development.
Over 25 years’ experience of leading a diverse range of innovative sustainable food strategies, projects, and programmes
I bring together expert teams of trusted associates to deliver strategies, projects, policy and practice which can drive action for a healthy and sustainable food system.
I have over 25 years experience of leading a diverse range of innovative sustainable food strategies, projects and programmes for a range of organisations, including the National Trust, WWF-UK and Forum for the Future. I champion the concept of ‘sustainable nutrition‘ and manage a number of innovative, collaborative initiatives which catalyse action and innovation, working with funders, innovators, food and beverage businesses and civil society organisations.
I provide a wide variety of services including thought leadership, strategy development, project management, stakeholder engagement, desktop based research, food trends insights, facilitation & workshop services. I also provide expert subject matter talks/presentations on a range of sustainability trends and topics including regenerative agriculture, sustainable diets, plant-based innovation, food waste and sustainable commodities.
My clients include the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, WWF, The World Health Organisation, The European Commission, EIT Food, World Animal Protection, Compassion in World Farming, Eating Better, The Food Foundation. M&S, McDonalds, Quorn Foods and Dairy Farm International.
I donate 3% of income received to two food and agriculture charities – The Trussell Trust and Farm Africa.
Latest from the Blog
Five Reflections on 5 Five Years of Running Tasting the Future
It’s now been over 5 years since I took the plunge and established my own sustainable food systems consultancy business, Tasting the Future. This blog outlines five of my own reflections and lessons on going freelance.
Farm to Fork: Systemic Change is Key to European Food Security and Resilience
Rolling back the European Farm to Fork Strategy(F2F) to scale up intensive systems of food production, as some agri-food businesses argue, would not solve the current food crisis – It would move us even further away from a food system that is resilient to future shocks. The F2F strategy offers a unique opportunity to promote joined up policies that result in synergies for food security, production, sustainability, and health – it must not be weakened or abandoned.
8 Food Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2023
At the start of a new year I explore 8 sustainable food trends that I think will come to the fore during 2023. Increasing citizen awareness, investor pressure and government action around the health, environmental, social, and animal welfare impacts of or food systems, means that in 2023 the chorus to translate words into actions, to transform a food system many consider not fit for purpose, is only going to accelerate.
Trends explored in this blog include More but plant, less but better meats; net zero; nature positive commitments; Closing the loop and upcycled foods; food provenance, shorter value chains and transparency; agrobiodiversity; regenerative and agroecological farming; and eco labelling.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or if I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.