Webinars
Food Trends & Food Fads
Held on 26th February 2026
In this webinar hosted by the Wakefield Good Food Partnership, environmental health apprentice Emily Guest from Wakefield Council walks us through the fascinating, and sometimes hazardous, world of food trends.
Summary
From freak shakes and activated charcoal ice cream to boba tea, Dubai chocolate, and matcha drinks, the session traces how trends rise and fall, and how social media is accelerating that cycle like never before.
Emily highlights some genuinely surprising safety concerns, including the E. coli risks in rare burgers and the glycerol dangers in oversized slush drinks, particularly for children. On a more positive note, she points to the air fryer, veganism, and Dry January as trends that have delivered real benefits.
The session closes with a useful framework for engaging with food trends critically: Be aware, Explore your options, Do your research, and Stay curious.
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Ultra-Process Foods. What are we really eating?
Held on 5 Nov 2025
Catch up on this webinar with Laila Charlesworth to dig deeper into Ultra Processed Foods.
A registered nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and regional representative for Yorkshire & the Humber, Laila Charlesworth holds a first-class honours degree in Nutrition, Food, and Health. A member of the Nutrition Society and former MSc Nutrition and Science Course Director at the NCA in York, she has also served as a trusted voice on BBC Radio Leeds.
Summary
This accessible webinar with nutritionist Laila Charlesworth explores what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) really are, why they have become so dominant in modern diets, and how they may be affecting health. Laila explains how UPFs differ from minimally processed foods, unpacking concepts such as the NOVA classification and the role of additives, flavourings, and industrial processing techniques. She then highlights growing evidence linking high UPF intake with obesity, metabolic problems, and other adverse health outcomes, while acknowledging the powerful pull of convenience and busy lives.
The session is designed to be both informative and practical: you will learn simple ways to spot UPFs on labels, recognise common “red flags” in ingredient lists, and make realistic swaps towards more whole, home-prepared foods. If you are curious about what you are really eating, and want clear, evidence-informed guidance without guilt or jargon, this webinar is an engaging place to start.
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Food Waste - Getting it right together
Held on 8th May 2025
Summary
Hosted by the Wakefield District Good Food Partnership, this session examines the environmental urgency of food waste and the upcoming legislative shifts in England. Experts from Biffa and Wakefield Council detail the ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms, which mandate new waste separation practices for businesses starting March 2025. The discussion clarifies how these national changes interact with Wakefield’s existing waste infrastructure and the specific exemptions for local households.
The presentation also offers actionable strategies for minimising waste, ranging from interpreting date labels to effective storage techniques. A detailed question and answer segment addresses technical queries regarding enforcement and compliance across various sectors. This resource serves as a practical guide for business owners preparing for regulatory changes and residents aiming to lower their environmental impact.
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