Meet The Team
People are at the heart of the Open Food Network
Designed for community food enterprises, owned by the commons and improving shopper access to fairer food, the Open Food Network is people-led and people-driven. Click on the icons below to meet the current members of the Open Food Network UK core team.
We’re a Sociocratic Co-op
During the summer of 2022, we adopted a new sociocratic structure and ways of working. Sociocracy is a non-hierarchical governance system that places inclusivity, autonomy, transparency and equality at its heart.
Our aim was to adopt a way of working which is in-line with our organisational values. We were looking for real sharing of power and responsibility, more voices being heard, and the flexibility to grow sustainably.
In essence, sociocracy is a way of distributing the power, or decision making, to smaller groups who are doing the work e.g. marketing or support. These groups are known as “circles”. Each circle has a clear aim and domain (set of responsibilities), membership and meeting rhythm.
Our circles structure
Coordination Circle
An umbrella circle for all members of the OFN UK team to come together on a weekly basis to check-in, share current operations, discuss challenges and bring specific proposals to the team for decision-making.
Community Building Circle
Aims to grow the OFN UK outwards by building our network, developing partnerships and increasing revenue.
Communications Circle
Communicates the OFN UK’s work and relevant project and partner activities across our website, social media channels and through events, in order to build engagement and tell the story of the Open Food Network UK to our users, customers, supporters and funders.
Finance Circle
Supports both day-to-day and strategic financial operations, helping the team and OFN UK Directors maintain a healthy understanding of the finances.
Fundraising Circle
Works to identify and build compelling fundraising bids and deepen funder relationships in support of specific projects or new developments across the Open Food Network UK community.
Support & Onboarding Circle
Supports new and existing customers to use the OFN platform using a mix of email, video and telephone guidance, as well as maintaining the user guide, notifying users of software updates, and developing integrations to streamline customer processes.
Stewardship Circle
Aims to develop the culture and the long term viability of the Open Food Network UK, liaising with OFN Global and the UK Board of Directors to support a clear governance overview.
People Circle
Fosters a supportive, kind and joyful environment for the OFN UK team, placing the human at the heart of our policies, procedures and ways of working.
Project Delivery Circles
Generally time-specific circles for those involved in specific projects to come together to discuss challenges and best practice as and when necessary.
Our in-person team gatherings
As a fully remote team, we take time at least once a year to meet in person, to collaborate, get energised and be inspired about the future direction of the Open Food Network UK and what we can do as a team to help address some of the systemic issues we are facing in the UK food system. Below are photos of our most recent gatherings, alongside insights from team members past and present about the value of our time together in person.
"A really strong sense of community and family. So brilliant to see everyone's full authentic selves and share our passion for improving food systems"
"My favourite bit was the dinners. Being together and letting go, finding out who we are together and discovering new things about the Open Food Network through its people"
"It feels really crazy to me to be unconditionally accepted and supported by a work family and I really value every single person I work alongside"
"I enjoyed us feeling into the constellation that was there & everyone was so open about bringing their full self to the group"
"The Samhain celebration was brill and I loved being outside and around the fire"
"I love being together and seeing more of the real people who make up our wonderful team"
The Open Food Network UK: In our words
The Open Food Network is a community and software backbone for food systems across the UK working for food sovereignty. Our network of community-driven food enterprises put people and planet first.
“We have long known that local food makes sense from an environmental point of view, but the global pandemic has also made us acutely aware of how vulnerable our global food supply chains are. So it is really wonderful to have the Open Food Network cutting out the middleman and connecting us up with local producers. This gives us resilience and also connects us to the source of the food we need to live and flourish.
I’ve also sat on the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee for five years, and seen how the global food and farming system is dominated by agribusiness and supermarkets. This has led to food waste, food poverty, and a bad deal for farmers as well as some spectacular food scandals. When it comes to good high-quality food with strong links between farmers and eaters, local is always best!”
~ Molly Scott Cato, former Green MEP
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