What we do
We design and deliver research that supports better decisions across the food system. Whether you’re shaping policy, developing products, testing communications or engaging stakeholders, we help you understand what’s really happening and why.
Our work spans consumers, farmers, supply chains and institutions. We combine rigour with sector understanding, delivering insight that stands up to scrutiny and can be confidently acted on.
Understanding how consumers think, shop and make food choices is essential for brands across the food and agriculture supply chain. Grounded Research delivers consumer insight that explores attitudes, behaviours and motivations around food, farming and sustainability. Through surveys, interviews, focus groups and behavioural research, we help organisations understand what drives purchasing decisions, perceptions of British agriculture, and emerging food trends. Our research supports product development, marketing strategy and communication that resonates with modern consumers.
Food and farming businesses operate within a complex ecosystem of stakeholders including policymakers, NGOs, industry bodies, researchers and supply chain partners. Our stakeholder research helps organisations understand the perspectives, priorities and concerns of these groups. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we gather evidence that informs policy development, strategy and collaboration across the sector. Grounded Research specialises in stakeholder engagement across agriculture, food production and environmental policy.
Reaching farmers and landowners with credible research requires trust, relevance and the right networks. Grounded Research has extensive experience working with farmers across the UK through our dedicated farming research community, Five Bar Gate. We conduct surveys, interviews and discussion groups to understand on-farm decision making, attitudes to policy, technology adoption and the realities of running modern farm businesses. Our research ensures that the voices of farmers and land managers are represented in decisions affecting the future of agriculture.
From growers and processors to retailers and food service, the food supply chain depends on effective collaboration. Our supply chain research explores relationships, pressures and opportunities across the sector. By engaging stakeholders at every stage of the journey from farm to fork, we provide insight into how organisations can work together more effectively, improve communication and support innovation. Grounded Research helps businesses understand the dynamics shaping the modern food system.
Market research plays a vital role in identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. Grounded Research supports organisations with insight that informs product development, service design and strategic decision-making. Whether launching a new product, exploring a new market or refining a proposition, our research provides the evidence businesses need to move forward with confidence. Our work spans agriculture, food manufacturing, retail and sustainability-focused enterprises.
Successful engagement starts with understanding who matters most in a complex sector. Our stakeholder mapping research identifies the key organisations, influencers and decision makers shaping agriculture and the food supply chain. By analysing networks, influence and information flows, we help organisations prioritise engagement and build stronger relationships. This approach supports effective communication strategies, policy engagement and collaborative initiatives across the sector.
We work with organisations across food, farming, land use and sustainability. This includes commercial brands, NGOs, membership bodies, government departments, academic institutions and supply chain businesses.
Yes. We have established communities and recruitment networks that give us access to farmers and other specialist audiences across the UK. We combine this with careful screening to ensure quality and relevance.
All three. We design projects around the decision you need to make, which often means combining qualitative depth with quantitative scale.
Yes. We run structured sensory and product experience research that supports innovation, reformulation and market readiness, ensuring feedback is robust and commercially useful.
We can develop all research materials from scratch, or collaborate with your internal team. We’re comfortable working flexibly, depending on your needs.
Absolutely. We often work alongside internal insight teams, communications agencies and academic partners, acting as an extension of your team.
Outputs are tailored to your needs. This may include detailed reports, executive summaries, presentations or workshops. We focus on ensuring findings translate into clear implications and next steps.
Yes. We can build, manage and maintain research communities and panels, supporting long-term engagement and ongoing insight programmes.
Thoughts, reflections and updates from our team on food, farming, sustainability and the environment.
