Circular Agriculture Hub - Founders photo – left to right - Anne Touboulic, Lucy McCarthy, Ursula DavisUniversity of Bristol
Press release issued: 2 July 2025
A ground-breaking new social venture company has been launched by researchers at the University of Bristol and the University of Nottingham to help farmers sell surplus produce to community-based buyers including food banks, social supermarkets and small food producers across the UK.
The new company, Circular Agriculture Hub, has now been incorporated and received £40,000 in seed funding from ImpactU to accelerate its development. The initiative is the result of a long-standing academic collaboration between Dr Lucy McCarthy, Associate Professor at the University of Bristol Business School, and Professor Anne Touboulic, Professor of Socio-Ecological Systems at Nottingham University Business School.
Each year, around seven percent of food intended for consumption is wasted on farms, while millions face food insecurity. By connecting small and medium-sized farmers with buyers who can make use of surplus or imperfect produce — such as mis-sized vegetables or cosmetically damaged fruit — the Circular Agriculture Hub aims to reduce waste and redistribute food more equitably.
Farmers can list surplus produce on the Hub platform; community organisations and other buyers can express interest or make offers; and transactions are completed directly, with flexibility and negotiation at the core. Initially launching as a brokerage-style offline service, the platform will be developed into a digital tool, helping to scale operations and extend reach nationally — and, potentially, internationally.
Dr McCarthy said: “We are thrilled to have launched Circular Agriculture Hub Ltd. This project brings together our research on sustainable food systems with the real-world needs of farmers and communities. By building new relationships between producers and buyers, we hope to shift how food is valued and distributed, supporting both people and planet.”
Professor Anne Touboulic added: “This venture is about challenging the status quo. The dominant food system is failing too many — especially small-scale farmers. Our collaborative research shows how new economic models can support sustainable practices while addressing food insecurity. Circular Agriculture Hub is a step towards that change.”
Professor Brian Squire, Dean of the University of Bristol Business School, said: “At the University of Bristol Business School, we are committed to interdisciplinary research that creates positive change in the world. The launch of Circular Agriculture Hub Ltd. is a perfect example of this approach – working collaboratively to address a stubborn and significant challenge for both the environment and society. Well done Lucy and Anne.”
This new social venture reflects the universities’ shared commitment to research-led innovation, social and environmental impact, and long-term academic partnerships. The company builds on foundational research and early support from ARC Accelerate, and has been nurtured by the University of Bristol’s Research Commercialisation team alongside fantastic support from Nottingham Technology Ventures.
Further information
About the University of Bristol
Ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024), the University of Bristol is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities.
We are known for combining academic excellence with a strong social purpose — creating research, education and innovation that tackles global challenges and improves lives.
Bristol is home to world-leading research and pioneering initiatives that span climate action, social justice, AI, public health, and sustainable development. We are ranked 5th in the UK for research (REF 2021) and host more than 40 research institutes, including the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research and the Cabot Institute for the Environment.
Our commitment to enterprise and innovation is demonstrated through our growing ecosystem of spinouts and social ventures, supported by dedicated teams within Research, Enterprise and Innovation. This includes Bristol Innovations and our academic Social Ventures programme, helping to translate academic ideas into impact.
As one of the UK’s greenest cities, Bristol’s location enhances our focus on sustainability and civic engagement. Our graduates are among the most sought after in the country, with employers valuing their critical thinking, creativity and real-world impact.
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About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The University is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The University is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research. We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home. More news…
