From Guernsey to Westminster, September brought fresh energy and grounded collaboration for the Bremner & Co team. This month spanned joyful conversations about childhood, the growing potential of beans, and bold ideas to transform food in the early years. Across conferences, summits, and workshops, we shared learning, built new connections, and helped shape the next steps in improving food systems for children and families.
Joyous Childhood Conference
7th September
The States Early Years Team, Bailiwick, Guernsey
Dayna joined practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in Guernsey for the A Joyous Childhood conference, a day that truly lived up to its name. Alongside Sean Cowden from the London Early Years Foundation, she shared reflections on nutrition in the early years: how rising food costs, packed lunch dilemmas, and the growing role of commercial baby foods play in shaping daily choices for settings and families alike.
One of the day’s highlights came from a packed lunch challenge, where practitioners faced the same constraints families juggle every day. Their empathy and inventiveness were striking and a reminder of the quiet brilliance that sustains the early years workforce even when resources are tight.
Beyond food, the event covered diverse themes: from joyful movement and outdoor play to neurodiversity, race, and belonging. Speakers like Ben Kingston-Hughes, Dr Stella Louis, Hannah Betteridge, and Sam Asher brought insight and energy in equal measure, reinforcing a central message – that every child deserves a truly joyous childhood.
1,001 Critical Days Foundation Launch
10th September
Online
Rosie joined the online launch of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, which brought together MPs, Peers, researchers, and early years advocates united around one goal: giving every baby the best start. Led by Andrea Leadsom, the new charity will fund frontline work, commission research, and campaign globally so every country invests in those vital first 1001 days.
This first session focused on dads’ mental health, an area often overlooked. New research from Swansea University revealed the first data on suicide among new fathers, calling for better support and joined-up health records. Speakers from Dad Matters showed what’s possible with the right outreach: thousands of dads reached, stronger bonds, and better wellbeing. A hopeful step towards a system that truly includes everyone raising a child.
We look forward to seeing how the work of this foundation takes shape.
Nursery World Exchange
11th September
Nursery World, Manchester
Dayna joined a panel at Nursery World Exchange, sharing ideas on food, funding, and mealtimes alongside Dr Kay Aaronricks, James Hempsall OBE, and Elly Roberts. The conversation was grounded in real practice; from how settings work with parents on lunchbox policies to the challenge of making mealtimes inclusive for children with SEND.
Practitioners spoke candidly on the risks posed by commercial baby food and the pressure it adds for families and settings alike. There was broad agreement that the new national guidance is a welcome step forward, but only if it’s backed by proper training and resources. A reminder, as Dayna put it, that good policy starts with time spent listening to those on the frontline of practice.
Policy Live
11th September
Nesta, London
Rosie spent the day at Policy Live, Nesta’s flagship event exploring how to design and deliver policy for real-world impact. The conference brought together more than 400 people from across government, academia, and civil society, all focused on doing policy differently.
The day had a real sense of momentum. People were testing ideas, sharing what’s worked, and being honest about what hasn’t. The combination of insightful talks from political heavyweights and policy experts alongside interactive workshops provided attendees with actionable ideas and tools to take forward in their policy work.
Veg Power Summit
18th September
Veg Power, London
Dayna and Myles joined campaigners, chefs, and educators at the Veg Power Summit to explore how we can make vegetables, especially beans, peas, and lentils, a normal and joyful part of everyday meals. Conversations ranged from the power of play in getting children interested in food, to how brands shape family choices through emotional marketing. Charlotte Stirling-Reed’s call to be bold in challenging misleading narratives struck a chord.
Over lunch, Myles led a roundtable on neurodiversity in school food, sparking honest discussion about how to better support children with different sensory needs. The day ended with optimism and momentum, and plenty of beans, ahead of the On Board with Beans campaign launch on 5th November. Huge credit to Dan Parker and the Veg Power team for curating such a thoughtful, energising day.
Follow the Carrot Webinar
23rd September
Online
The team, together with Sustain, hosted a webinar to mark the launch of Follow the Carrot, a new report exploring how the expansion of free school meals could create major opportunities for British and sustainable producers. The analysis, led by Rosie and Myles, shows that extending eligibility to families on Universal Credit could mean 540 million extra meals a year and a £600 million boost for UK farmers.
A fantastic panel included Hannah Gibbs of Bridging the Gap, Caroline Morgan of Local Food Links, Tom Simmons of Riviera Produce, and Jayne Jones from the Public Sector Catering Alliance. They explored what it would take to seize this opportunity, from fairer procurement and local sourcing to better investment in supply chains. The key takeaway? That scaling up free school meals will only succeed if the right conditions are met, from unlocking growth for UK producers and improving food quality to reforming funding, investing locally, and joining the dots across health, food, and the economy.
Read the report here.
Early Years Food Coalition Workshop 8
25th September
Early Years Food Coalition, Bremner & Co and Impact on Urban Health, London
The team spent the day with the Early Years Food Coalition, which is funded by Impact on Urban Health and convened by Bremner & Co, working with partners across the sector to scope and design pilot ideas that could demonstrate real improvements in early years nutrition. The aim was to turn bold ideas into practical interventions, linking policy ambitions with what’s possible on the ground, so that every child can access nutritious, high-quality food wherever they receive care.
The options discussed were wide-ranging; from extending free meals for families on Universal Credit, to establishing community kitchens to support settings without facilities, and providing flexible training resources that support healthier and more inclusive food provision in settings. The day closed with tangible next steps and a sense of collective momentum; proof that when the sector comes together with purpose, change feels within reach.
Photos of Rosie, Dayna, and Sean Cowden of LEYF at the Early Years Food Coalition’s eighth workshop
Labour Party Conference
28th September
Liverpool
While in Liverpool for Labour Party Conference, Dayna took part in conversations at the Fair Education Alliance’s Best Start in Life workshop, an event running alongside the conference to explore how every child can be safe, healthy, happy, learning and engaged. Dayna spoke on early years nutrition and the barriers families face: from affordability and access to the quality of food in childcare, low breastfeeding rates, and the harmful influence of commercial marketing.
Other speakers, including Maya Ellis MP and Josh MacAlister MP, highlighted the need for a stronger strategy for the 0–5s, joining up maternity services, family hubs, childcare, and food policy. The session brought energy and realism in equal measure, pointing to growing political will for a more connected early years system.
Another busy month! We look forward to more events to come in October and November.