Engaging the next generation of public health policy makers

Recently we had the opportunity to present at a training session, run by Newham Council, for future Public Health council advisors. Our focus was on the role convenience stores can play in improving access to healthier food within local communities — our evidence from the rollout of Good Food Retail network.

When we talk about food environments, it’s easy to focus on schools, advertising or large supermarkets. But in many lower-income neighbourhoods, the most consistent point of access is the local convenience store.

That’s where everyday purchasing decisions are made. That’s where affordability really matters. And that’s where small shifts in range, placement and pricing can have meaningful impact.

During the session we explored:

• Why healthier options in convenience stores are a public health issue

• The commercial realities independent retailers face

• How councils can support — without distorting — local markets

• What makes initiatives sustainable beyond short-term funding

What stood out most was the engagement from the next generation of policy makers. Fresh ideas. Challenging questions. A genuine curiosity about how to align public health ambition with commercial viability.

Meeting old friends and making new ones — and sharing just how far Good Food Retail https://www.goodfoodretailnetwork.co.uk has developed since its inception in 2019 — was a real highlight.

If we want healthier high streets at scale, we need policy makers who understand how the system actually works — from wholesale through to the shop floor so it was great to bring evidence-based experience and contribute to that conversation.

The future of local public health will depend on partnership, practicality and bold thinking — and this cohort brought all three.