Roots to Work: the children's food campaigner

Please introduce yourself and give a brief overview of what you do.

I'm Naema, the Children’s Food Campaign Officer at Sustain. I work on our Say Yes to School Food for All Campaign and lead our Parent Ambassador Programme. I am also part of the organisation's core diversity group which has focussed on everything from adapting policy on cultural holidays to spotlighting underrepresented groups in the sustainable food sector. 

What was your route into the sustainable food sector? 

During my undergraduate study, I was always involved in charity work and mobilising student’s voices. I also part-time tutored children from 11-16, which was super rewarding (which is why I still do it). I decided to complete a Masters in Public Policy as I saw ‘influencing’ policy as a way to make change.

While I was not specifically looking for roles in sustainable food sector, I completed a short-term internship at Bite Back to gain more practical skills in policy and public affairs.  Working in the policy and public affairs team, I learned so much about our food system, including unhealthy food advertising and school food. It was very inspiring to see how young people were using their voice for change to challenge big corporations and the Government about their health.

I was lucky to find my current role open immediately after my internship ended, and I applied without hesitation.

When you did find out about it, why did the sustainable food sector appeal to you?

I first explored ‘food policy’ during an undergraduate module and through my undergraduate dissertation about different food programmes. Although at the time, my interest was still surface level and was not genuine passion. During my Masters, I was still interested in amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities through policy-making. I had all this knowledge about different policy making but no idea which policy area I wanted to specifically go into, until I completed my internship at Bite Back. As my interest in children’s health and child poverty began to grow, I soon realised how important the sustainable food sector is to ensure healthy food is accessible and affordable to all.

What’s the best thing about the work that you do?

It aligns with my genuine passion for making a positive impact on society. I take great pride in contributing to a sector dedicated to fostering sustainable and meaningful change. Additionally, I appreciate the opportunity to bring a diverse range of experiences to my role, from my interest in diversity and inclusion to my skills in design app Canva.

What challenges or obstacles have you faced in your career and how have you overcome them?   

As a person of colour, I always faced imposter syndrome, often feeling out of place and doubting my abilities in environments where few shared my background. What has helped me overcome this, is building my self confidence in my capabilities and believing I do have lots to offer.

I also struggled with being an introvert which can be challenging at times when you are trying to assert yourself. However, this also meant I had other strong skills to offer and I began to challenge myself a lot more.

Who or what inspires your work in this movement?

My work in this movement is primarily inspired by the passionate and dedicated voices of young people advocating for change. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and determination to address issues such as climate change, food sustainability, and social justice are incredibly motivating.

What are your hopes for the future? 

I hope to see more representation and diverse voices in this space. More young people from different degree backgrounds entering this field. And, of course, seeing a Government bring in free school meals for all children, regardless of background.

What advice would you give to students and younger people who are exploring career options?  

Do internships and look for experiences in fields you haven't explored yet as you never know - it might spark an interest like it did for me, plus it's a great opportunity to gain transferrable skills. I did a marketing internship in my undergraduate in International Relations, which isn't where I ended up, but it's where I learnt how to use Asana, Canva and lots more, which I apply in this role. When you are exploring career options, avoid getting lost in trying to reach a strict career goal. Instead, focus on your transferrable skills and personal development. 

Find out more about Sustain's Children's Food Campaign online or follow the campaign on X.