The UK’s much-anticipated British Food Fortnight starts today and runs from 20th September to 6th October 2024, marking its 23rd year as the nation's leading celebration of all things British food. Set against the backdrop of the harvest season, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with activities, promotions, and celebrations taking place across the country. (A partial list outlining some of the nationwide activities included in the notes below.) This annual event, embraced by communities, retailers, and the public sector alike, is a unique opportunity to highlight the diversity and quality of British food. The fortnight is supported by local communities as well as being backed by most of the major food service organisations and the public sector meaning that schools, hospitals, universities and care homes join pubs and restaurants in celebrating British food. Morrisons is the Official Retail Partner having signed a three-year partnership with the organisers, Love British Food. The national food celebrations launched this morning at New Covent Garden Market, London’s oldest and largest fresh produce wholesale market, fittingly marking the sale of British fruit and vegetables in the capitol since Medieval times and the 50 th anniversary of the market’s move to Nine Elms. Wanda Goldwag OBE, Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority,, commented: “The first day of British Food Fortnight is always a momentous day in the nation’s food calendar. This market has marked the annual event in various ways over the years but this year, we wanted to make it more of an interactive occasion and invite people to meet some of the fantastic British growers who supply wholesalers both here and around the country." A Message from Love British Food Founder, Alexia Robinson: “We are thrilled to see British Food Fortnight growing stronger each year. This celebration is about more than just food; it’s about community and sustainability. We are excited to partner with Morrisons, who have been exceptional leaders on British food and farming. Their commitment to making good food available for all aligns perfectly with our mission. With so many exciting activities planned, we hope everyone will join us in celebrating the very best of British food this British Food Fortnight.” Highlights of British Food Fortnight 2024: Morrisons Involvement: throughout British Food Fortnight Morrisons will be celebrating the best of autumn's British produce, meat and fish on Market Street with great value prices and in store marketing displays. In addition, the community champions that are based in all of Morrisons supermarkets and work closely with the communities surrounding each store will be rewarding local groups who focus on increasing access to fresh, seasonal British food. Community Focus: The British Food Fortnight Community Competition, in association with Morrisons, returns to celebrate individuals and volunteer organisations making “good food available for all.” Liz Earle, wellbeing entrepreneur and broadcaster, will lead the judging panel, focusing on the availability and affordability of good food in communities. “I have been involved in British Food Fortnight for over a decade. I love how the event inspires communities to celebrate the wonderful food we produce in this country. But the stark reality is that not everyone has access to good food. So the spotlight of this competition on the availability and affordability of good food for all is something I feel deeply strongly about, particularly in my role as Commissioner for the Social Justice Commission. I am delighted to be the lead judge. If you are an individual or organisation working hard to make ‘Good food available to all’ in your community, we want to hear from you!” Liz Earle MBE, wellbeing broadcaster and entrepreneur and Love British Food ambassador “At Morrisons we love British food and are delighted to be partnering with British Food Fortnight. We share the ambition for affordable fresh food to be available to everyone - it's one of our core values. So I'm honoured to be on the judging panel for this competition which profiles and rewards the unsung heroes in our community who are helping to ensure more people can enjoy great British food.” David Scott, Director of Morrisons Corporate Affairs New Competitions: The Great British Pie Challenge, a new addition for 2024, invites school and hospital chefs to compete against hospitality chefs in creating the ultimate British pie. Judged by Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard and Master Chefs of GB’s Ben Bartlett, the competition has already garnered significant interest, particularly among hospital caterers. Nationwide Participation: Over 3,000 schools, 10 universities, 28 hospitals and many care homes will showcase British food on their menus, promoting nutritious and sustainable eating. Leading food service organisations like Aramark, OCS, Sodexo, Chartwells and Brakes are also participating with special promotions and events. Hard-Hitting Campaigns: During the fortnight, Love British Food will release a set of ‘wishes’ for a national food strategy, to be presented at the Labour Party Conference. Leading chefs will sign a letter highlighting supply chain challenges in sourcing British food. National Harvest Service: T he event will conclude with the National Harvest Service at Southwark Cathedral in London. This year’s service is being run in partnership with City Harvest, the food charity that redistributes 1.2 millions meals a month to those in need across London. The service takes place in a different city every year during British Food Fortnight. The Harvest Torch is travelling from Peterborough, where the service was held last year, to London. Her Majesty The Queen who instigated the National Harvest Service at Westminster Abbey in 2013, supports the service every year. Looking Ahead: British Food Fortnight promises a dynamic program of activities designed to engage and inspire communities, businesses, and public sector organisations to embrace British food. From farm visits for NHS caterers to school menus and national competitions, the event showcases the best of British food production and the importance of making good food available for all. ENDS Notes to the Editor: About Love British Food: Love British Food is the leading organisation dedicated to promoting British food in the public and private sectors. Through initiatives like British Food Fortnight, Love British Food works to support local farmers, producers, and retailers while encouraging sustainable and healthy eating. https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/ ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE AROUND THE COUNTRY: Universities taking part: Plymouth, Staffordshire, Huddersfield, University of St Andrews, Kings College London, Harper Adams, Exeter, Southampton, Loughborough and Reading. Over 3,000 schools running British Food Fortnight menus: National school food providers: OCS food service: (78 schools) Chartwells (2,000 schools) Academies for Character & Excellence School Grid (1,200 schools nationally); APSE (working with 300 councils across the UK) Local Authority and regional school food providers: Shire Services, Shropshire (140 schools); CMC School Food, national (180 schools); Local Food Links, Dorset (58 schools) Blackpool Local Authority (32 schools); Nottingham Local Authority; Norse Group, Norfolk (140 primary schools); Oxford County Council, working with 34 school caterers in 300 schools. And individual schools, each of which is a shining inspirational example of what can be achieved with school food: Batholomew School, Oxford; Ca Site Sarum Academy, Salisbury; Woodlands Primary School, Liverpool Phunky Foods will be organising special healthy food activities throughout the fortnight. Wicor Primary School, Fareham, Hants 436 children taking part in cooking, tasting and learning where local food comes from. Abingdon School, Abingdon, Oxford (Sodexo independent school) – Celebrating BFF in school with themed menus and activity Lancaster County Careers Centre, Lancaster Hospitals : Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Hawkhurst Community Hospital, Hawkhurst, Kent Milton Keynes UHT James Paget UHT, Great Yarmouth SE Trust, Northern Ireland NHS Solent, Southampton County Durham and Darlington NHS Victoria Hospital, Blackpool Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Shrewsbury Airedale General Hospital, Keighley, West Yorkshire Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust Barnsley Hospital Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Southern Health NHS Foundation, Hampshire Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Kent Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust Stepping Hill Hospital/Stockport NHS Foundation Trust South West Yorkshire Partnership Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Leicester hospital Wales NHS Gosport War Memorial Hospital Ipswich hospital, Ipswich Ashford & St Peters Hospital, Surrey East London NHS Foundation Trust Royal Free, London St Bernard's Hospital West London NHS Trust Orchard Unit, West London NHS Trust Royal Brompton Hospital Care Homes National Association of Care Catering (NACC) is sharing details of British Food Fortnight with all their members and encouraging them to take part Harrogate Neighbours: 2 care homes in Harrogate are hosting several events over the fortnight Norse Group, Norfolk Events British Food Fortnight launch in New Covent Garden Market, London Foodie Expo with 60 British suppliers showcasing their produce to all the biggest buyers in food service. Organised by Love British Food Official Partner Brakes in Hertfordshire on 25th September. Includes talks on latest food trends and a panel discussion on British food with Love British Food Director, Tim Radcliffe in discussion with Cathy Amos from Brakes who is also an Ambassador for Love British Food. Plymouth Seafood Trail for British Food Fortnight: organised by Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association Visit South Cambs – South Cambridgeshire tourism and hospitality website – social media support Pubs/Restaurants Seafood Evening, 26 September, The Longs Arms, Wiltshire – showcasing UK-caught seafood with 7 course tasting menu from owner Rob Allcock – sold out! Wright Bros restaurants – Seasonal British Menu 24 September – Battersea Power Station restaurant, London 3 October – South Kensington Restaurant, London Whiting and Hammond pubs x 4 –all taking part with themed menus and promo material highlight BFF The Rose & Crown, Farnborough Way, Green Street Green, BR6 6BT https://www.facebook.com/BR6RoseandCrown https://www.instagram.com/theroseandcrownorpington/ The Chaser Inn, Stumble Hill, Shipbourne, Tonbridge TN11 8JJ https://www.facebook.com/TheChaserInn https://www.instagram.com/the_chaser_inn_shipbourne/ The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway, Tonbridge TN11 8JJ https://www.facebook.com/thelittlebrownjug1 https://www.instagram.com/thelittlebrownjug/ The Cricketers Inn, Wrotham Road, Meopham, DA13 0QA https://www.facebook.com/TheCricketersInnMeopham https://www.instagram.com/cricketersinn/ Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire – Shop and Eat Local week – Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October – holding tastings and promoting local produce from the estate, gardens and farms. Using assets. ICAEW (Searcys) London – running British Food Fortnight in the café which is for staff, members and general public – using assets. The Corner House, Canterbury – BFF menu for duration – Matt Sworder, LBF Ambassador The Farriers Arm, Kent – community owned pub organising activity through the fortnight – source as local as possible, meat from butchers 5 mins drive and fish from Hythe, they work closely with local vineyard and brew their own ale. Head chef keen to do more with BFF. Village owned the pub for 15 years, current landlord/landlady been there 8 years. Local really excited about different events so BFF is perfect. Starbeck Food Fiesta, Harrogate: community event with local providers contributing to a small celebration of local cuisine National Trust property – Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire – showcasing BFF in fine dining restaurant, hotel with restaurant, café and takeaway outlets. All catering produce sourced within a 30 mile radius with majority from their private garden three miles away. Retail Montgomerys Butcher, Bramhall, Cheshire – celebrating BFF in butchers shop with BFF branding and highlighting British plus social media support Westlands Farm Shop, Wickham, Hampshire – stocks local producers, running social media campaign highlighting local producers and passion for British food Gelston Lamb – opening farm shop to celebrate BFF selling award winning lamb and mutton, free range local pork, Lincolnshire Beer plus other local produce – bread, fruit, cake, honey. Also taking the converted sheep trailer to 3 x local ploughing matches to sell lamb Food Hero – Phat Pasty – confirmed activity with Welcome Break, Red Funnel and Butlins. In celebration of British Food Fortnight, Phat Pasty is supporting their customers Welcome Break, Red Funnel and Butlins Minehead and Skegness holiday parks with branding highlighting the British meat and ingredients in their award-winning traditional Cornish Pasties and Jumbo Sausage Rolls Greendale Farm Shop, Exeter, Devon – social media campaign highlighting BFF Haskins Garden Centres – social media support – 5 x garden centres in Dorset, West Sussex x 2, Southampton, Surrey Alexander Rose Charity – Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Vouchers to help families on low income support fresh fruit and veg – social media support Whites of Earls Barton, Northampton – farm shop – support BFF in store and highlight local producers Ropley Courtyard Shop, Hampshire – CIC and provides range of services to the local community. Highlighting local producers in newsletter for customers, celebrating BFF instore and on social media. Fairfields Farm Crisps & Potatoes) – social media campaign highlighting BFF sharing: Farm footage Factory footage A throw back to the early days of Fairfields Farm Some favourite potato recipes British Apples and Pears – social media posts/activity with BFF assets Hampshire County Council – celebrating and supporting all local producers via website and social media for BFF Harrogate Neighbours Community Event – Harrogate – details tbc Warkworth Food Fortnight, Northumbria – events include History society talks on British cheese, food themed exhibition, WI meeting, tasting menus, quiz nights, film night programme etc “This year we will be bringing British Food Fortnight to the village of Warkworth with a series of events and activities to celebrate British food and the many local food growers and producers. Events include a food quiz, film night, food stalls and talks, a Northumbrian quiz night, harvest festival and celebration of the history of British cheese.” Sue Brown, organiser, Warkworth British Food Fortnight Portsmouth Central Library – display in library or BFF and to celebrate 20 years of being a Fair Trade City The Grub Club, The Gog Farm Shop and Deli, Cambridgeshire – 24 September - 10th birthday celebrations – cooking demo and chat Thame Food Festival, Thame – 28/29 September - highlight of BFF/Food Conversation Universal Cookery & Food Festival – 26 September – Loddingtons Farm, Kent - highlight of BFF – Ambassador Ben Bartlett on stand with Masterchefs of Great Britain Harvest Torch arrives at New Cov Gdn Market this Thursday (19th)…from Peterborough where the National Harvest Service took place last year. National Harvest Service and Torch , Southwark Cathedral, London – Sunday 6 October – being run in partnership with City Harvest, the food charity that redistributes 1.2million meals a month across London. Community Competition – rewarding those organisations or individuals that seek to make ‘good food available for all’ in their communities. Judges include Liz Earle, David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director, Morrisons and Alexia Robinson. Prize luxury foodie experience personalised for winner New for 2024 – Great British Pie Challenge – chefs and caterers from all sectors in the UK invited to create a pie, using British ingredients, and add to their menu during British Food Fortnight. The challenge is open to pubs, restaurants, schools, hospitals, care homes and more. Judged by Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard, Alexia Robinson and Ben Bartlett. Hospital caterers are super excited for the challenge, with Leicester Hospital running their own internal challenge to find the best pie to enter in the competition. Prize – luxury British food hamper including: British Steak box from HG Walters, Selection of Fruit & Veg box from OCS and a hamper of fish and seafood courtesy of Seafood Plymouth. New for 2024 – school/children activity sheets. Celebrating British food with a focus on British pies. https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/teacher-zone British Food Fortnight Quotes: “As the years role by everything we hear informs us that using local and seasonal produce is becoming ever more important. It is, in fact, the only responsible way to cook and eat. We will be indulging in all that is seasonal, responsibly sourced and local in all of my restaurants during British Food Fortnight and in doing so will serve the most vibrant, fresh, nutritious and utterly delicious food that is best for us and best for the environment. “ Quote from Phil Howard, Chef and Restaurateur, Love British Food ambassador: “British Food Fortnight is of great importance to me because it celebrates the rich diversity of local produce, supports British farmers and fosters a connection to the land and heritage. It encourages the appreciation of high-quality, seasonal food that’s grown and produced sustainably. The national food celebrations promote community spirit, bringing people together through food festivals, farm visits, and educational activities, helping us to understand where our food comes from. Supporting British food also contributes to the local economy and reduces the environmental impact of importing goods. Overall, it allows us all to embrace the values of sustainability, health, and cultural pride.” Tim Radcliffe, Director Love British Food & Net Zero Food Programme Manager, NHS England “British Food Fortnight 2024 is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the quality and diversity of British produce. This event not only supports our local farmers but also plays a crucial role in educating young people about the importance of sustainable, nutritious food. By incorporating British produce into school meals, we’re teaching the next generation the value of eating locally and healthily.” Derek Wright, Director Love British Food & Catering Services Manager, Blackpool Catering Services “During British Food Fortnight, I will be cooking at lots of events across the country and speaking on local BBC radio stations championing British produce that I believe is the best in the world. There are 191,000 farms in Britain supplying some of the best restaurants in Britain as well as local grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Sustainability and seasonality are the key players to the best menus and British producers are absolutely killing it right now. British waters also have an amazing stock of seafood renowned for being some of the most flavoursome, and getting fresh fish is a real advantage. As a Master Chef of Great Britain, I am impressed with the many exciting chefs we have slaying it right now. Britain has its fair share of food masters and local food heroes with great menus and the best ingredients, so support them during British Food Fortnight 20th September to 6th October 2024.” Ben Bartlett, Director Love British Food & Board Member Master Chefs of Great Britain “As an Ambassador for Love British Food, British Food Fortnight is the ultimate Harvest Festival. Our islands produce some of the most responsibly grown, caught, harvested and marketed produce in the world and when it comes to British Seafood those values are never more accurate. Our seasonal, sustainable traceable and responsibly managed wild and farmed fish and shellfish are the envy of the world and that is reflected in the amount we export. However I would encourage everyone who loves seafood to support our Great British Fishing Industry and its communities, not just during this celebration but all year round”. Mike Warner, Love British Food Ambassador “Being an ambassador with LBF's Food Fortnight is always exciting. As a retired Fisherman, it's also great to show off UK-caught seafood to the public during the fortnight. Earlier this year, we set up the Seafood Plymouth brand ‘Choose Local, Go Wild’; during British Food Fortnight, we have organised the Seafood Plymouth Seafood Tour, partnering up with restaurants in and around Plymouth. The public can tour various restaurants at different locations and enjoy the best seafood Plymouth has to offer. Plus, I will be hosting a seafood evening at The Longs Arms in Wiltshire on 26 September showcasing UK-caught seafood with owner Rob Allcock's 6/7 course tasting menu. Wishing everyone taking part all the best….. It's a brilliant fortnight where we get to showcase Great British Homegrown, Home caught British food.” Adrian Bartlett, Love British Food Ambassador “ We are proud to be Love British Food Ambassadors and we can’t wait for British Food fortnight to push the message wider about the importance of supporting British producers. We are opening the farm gates on 21st September for a pop-up shop selling our award-winning lamb and mutton alongside Free Range local pork and Lincolnshire Beef plus other local produce including bread, fruit and veg, cakes, honey and so much more. We absolutely love being able to connect the public to where their food comes from and the importance of buying British and even better local. We are always happy to answer questions about what we do on the farm and it really does make us incredibly proud to get feedback direct from our customers to help us push forward promoting how wonderful British Food is. We will also be cooking up our delicious lamb burgers from our converted sheep trailer at three local ploughing matches, a great way for us to speak to everyone and get them trying lamb straight from our family farm. British Food is absolutely amazing and should be celebrated. British farmers and producers should be supported all year round for feeding the nation and looking after the beautiful British countryside”. Louise Elkington, Gelston Lamb “ The first day of British Food Fortnight is always a momentous day in the nation’s food calendar. This market has marked the annual event in various ways over the years but this year, we wanted to make it more of an interactive occasion and invite people to meet some of the fantastic British growers who supply wholesalers both here and around the country. “This market’s catering suppliers provide premium, world class product to the vast majority of the Michelin starred restaurants in the capital,” Wanda added. “But it’s also true that they supply thousands more small independent businesses who rely on them for the quality product and service that keeps their menus fresh and exciting. Accessing independent restaurants to supply them is not something most growers can do easily, but knowing your product is featured on the menu of a high-profile, high-end restaurant must be a fantastic feeling. Our traders make that happen.” One of those traders is Gary Marshall, Owner of Bevington Salads and Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association, which represents the majority of the fruit, veg and flower wholesalers at NCGM. “This market has been crucial to the London food supply chain for several centuries and British growers have always been central to what we do,” said Gary. “Many of the companies here have relationships with British growers that span the generations and the passion and pride we feel to be able to sell their fruit and vegetables to the fantastic independent retail, catering and hospitality trades of London and the South East of England is immense. “ Our customers demand, of course, that we provide a year-round supply of premium fresh produce from all corners of the world, but there is nothing to match the buzz in Buyers’ Walk when new-season homegrown produce arrives,” he said. Wanda Goldwag OBE, Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority, the landlord and management company at NCGM. "We knew from the beginning of our business that we wanted to offer premium, quality products; and a big part of that was putting the provenance of ingredients at the centre of our products. All of our pasties, pies and sausage rolls use British farm assured meats, reassuring consumers on where their food is coming from and supporting farmers too. "During British Food Fortnight, we're proud to be a Food Hero. We're supporting our customers such as Welcome Break, Red Funnel Ferries and Butlins holiday parks with branding, POS and bunting, highlighting the British meat and ingredients in their award-winning traditional Cornish Pasties and Jumbo Sausage Rolls. Many smaller independent customers are also using these materials on their hot cabinets and counters." Paul Clark, Phat Controller at Phat Pasty

Love British Food, in association with its Official Retail Partner, Morrisons, is delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Community Competition in celebration of British Food Fortnight. Running from 20th September to 6th October, the competition seeks to recognise and celebrate the individuals, organisations, and communities that are making “good food available for all.” This year, the Community Competition invites everyone to take part—from community volunteers, chefs, and caterers to businesses, schools, pubs, restaurants, retailers, care homes, hospitals, and even entire villages, towns, and cities. The aim is to spotlight activities that bring British food to life, and create a lasting legacy within communities. Alexia Robinson, Love British Food Founder, commented: "We are looking for an individual or a community that makes a difference during British Food Fortnight.” "Whether it’s a charity providing good food for a community, a care home engaging its residents with British produce or a school developing a vegetable garden - this competition is about highlighting the great work that goes on to make fresh, healthy British food accessible to everyone." How to Enter: Share Your Story and Make an Impact The competition is open to everyone who plays a role in making fresh, healthy British food more available in their community. Previous entries have included: Schools: Creating vegetable gardens or mini farms. Social Care: Organising regular food gatherings for the elderly and isolated. Community Leaders: Offering cooking classes through community hubs or local pubs. Retailers: Ensuring their store provides a reliable source of healthy seasonal food. Markets: Bringing fresh, healthy food into the heart of communities. Hospitals: Improving food options for patients and visitors. Pubs and Restaurants: Going the extra mile to offer seasonal, healthy menus. Charities and Community Groups: Working to ease food insecurity. To enter, participants should share their story of what they did during British Food Fortnight 2024 to make good food available to all. Take plenty of photos and post them on social media, tagging #BritishFoodFortnight. Entries should also be emailed to info@lovebritishfood.co.uk with a description of the activity in no more than 500 words. Judging Panel and Prizes This year's judging panel includes Liz Earle MBE, wellbeing broadcaster and Love British Food Ambassador; David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons; and Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food. Liz Earle MBE, who has been involved with British Food Fortnight for over a decade, commented: “I have been involved in British Food Fortnight for over a decade. I love how the event inspires communities to celebrate the wonderful food we produce in this country. But the stark reality is that not everyone has access to good food. So the spotlight of this competition on the availability and affordability of good food for all is something I feel deeply strongly about, particularly in my role as Commissioner for the Social Justice Commission. I am delighted to be the lead judge. If you are an individual or organisation working hard to make ‘Good food available to all’ in your community, we want to hear from you!” David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, added: "At Morrisons we love British food and are delighted to be partnering with British Food Fortnight. We share the ambition for affordable fresh food to be available to everyone - it's one of our core values. So I'm honoured to be on the judging panel for this competition which profiles and rewards the unsung heroes in our community who are helping to ensure more people can enjoy great British food." The winning entry will receive a personalised foodie experience courtesy of Morrisons. To enter, send your story and photos to info@lovebritishfood.co.uk and post your activity on social media using the hashtag #BritishFoodFortnight. Full terms and conditions are available on the Love British Food website.  https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/community-competition

I am an accredited beer sommelier and the founder of the School of Booze. Whenever I’m educating about beer one of the questions I am most often asked is ‘What is the difference between ale and lager’. The answer gives me the opportunity to talk about The Family Tree of Beer. This is how I explain it. Picture a Venn diagram. Each of the three interlocking circles contains one of the following words: Ale, Lager, Wild Fermentation. Each is a branch of the family tree of beer. Where the circles overlap, the headline is BEER. Each branch contains sub-branches, which represent the various beer styles. Ale includes IPA, Barley Wine, Mild, Porter, Weizen and dozens of others. Lager incorporates Helles, Pilsner, Märzen, Schwartzbier, Bock and several more. Wild fermentation comprises Lambic, Faro, Gueuze (three Belgian styles) and others, all of them acidic and sour and often mistaken in blind tasting for cider or wine. Only a handful of British brewers produce wild fermentation beers – most of them are ale and lager brewers. What Determines The Branch That Beers Sit On? The main factor is the strain of yeast used in fermentation. Ale brewers employ a strain of cultured yeast known as Saccharamyces Cerevisiae which ferments quickly at temperatures between 16-20 ̊ C (60-68 ̊F) adding fruity aromas and flavours known as esters to the beer. It is often referred to as warm fermenting or a top fermenting (denoting the direction the yeast cells head in the fermentation vessels). Lager brewers used a strain of cultured yeast called Saccharomyces Pastorianus often referred to as a bottom fermenting (denoting the direction the yeast cells head in the fermentation vessels) or cool fermenting yeast which ferments slowly at lower temperatures than ale yeast - between 10-15 ̊ C (50-59 ̊F) and confers a crisp body to the beer by fermenting one of the sugars (melibiose) that ale yeast does not. Lager yeast produces fewer esters than ale yeast and so lagers are often described as ‘clean’ to drink. Wild Fermentation brewers do not use cultured yeasts, instead they encourage untamed non-conformist wild yeast spores, such as a strain called Brettanomyces (also known as Brett), that float in the air or that colonise wooden beams or beer barrels in the brewery. They also rely on wild microbes such as Pediococcus and Lactobacillus. The aromas and flavours bestowed by the yeast and microflora are unpredictable and complex and include sourness. But to confuse the issue there are mixed fermentation beers such as Flanders Red Ale and Oud Bruin (another Flanders speciality) which are fermented with ale yeast and then aged in oak barrels where wild microflora imbue sourness. And beers described as kettle sours or fruited sours are fermented with ale yeast and then lactic bacteria is added during the brew for the characteristic tang. The Importance of Water’s Mineral Composition With ale and lager the mineral content of the brewing water is also a factor. A glass of beer is composed of up to 95% water. The chemical composition of water is one of the factors that determines which branch the beer styles belong to. Look around the world and note what the heritage style of beer is brewed in that area and you can make a guess about the mineral content of the water. For instance, historically Burton on Trent in the Midlands was celebrated for India Pale Ale (IPA) and the reason is river Trent water is high in calcium sulphate which makes the best IPA. River Thames water is high in calcium carbonate and London was renowned for Porter and dark Stout beers. In ales, the water is high in mineral salts and the type of salt is influential. Water high in calcium chloride is good for making sweeter beers such as Mild. Water with high levels of calcium sulphate and bicarbonates is perfect for dry beers such as India Pale Ale and it also enhances hop aromas and flavours. Water high in calcium bicarbonate is used to make dark Stout. Water low in mineral salts is ideal for lagers such as Pilsner - this showcases the sharp bitterness of hops and the sweet biscuit of the malts. The presence or absence of mineral salts makes a difference to the body of the beer. Brewers can treat the brewing water by adding or subtracting minerals. Ales tend to be fuller bodied than lagers, which have a lighter body and crisp texture. Many brewers I know studied chemical engineering or biochemistry at university and understand the complicated science of brewing. For readers who are not biologists or chemists my explanations of yeast and water are simplistic accounts but are intended to be straightforward and easy to understand. Cheers! ***** Jane Peyton is the drinks ambassador for Love British Food and is the founder of the School of Booze and author of several books including The Philosophy of Beer – signed copies here .

‘We are what we eat, so eat something natural’ is one of my mantras. So when you consume an alternative product made from a variety of unknown ingredients such as a ‘plant-based’ cheese pretending to be a Brie or a Camembert, or a product acting like a chicken (which is very much like halloumi). It. Doesn’t. Work. Vegan food mimicking the real deal does not cut it for me. The plant-based ‘bacon’ is far too uniform in its appearance (it looks like a zebra crossing on the plate) and ‘perfect’ in it’s execution; it doesn’t have the natural fat oozing out of the meat, there are no streaks of splendid peccadillo colours, and the flavour is bland at best. So why are we judging plant-based food on how close it can be to natural animal products? They’re completely different and the vegan or ‘plant-based’ alternative cannot come close. It’s like judging Jane Austin to a Charles Dickins novel; they’re both still art and creative in their own right but completely different. The former doesn’t try to emulate the other, or indeed fall beneath its other shadow, the novel just celebrates its own creativity upon its own merit and this is what vegan and plant-based food can and should do too. Highlight the importance and significant diffidence of plants but please leave the cheese and bacon aspirations to the sheep, cows, goats and pigs. I thoroughly believe that vegan and plant-based food can shine and provide a balanced alternative and/or supplementary diet with a beautiful and sustainable homage to our plant life. Please let us celebrate plant-based food; harvest the produce and make products that allow the plants to shine and make them the star of the show, (as well as all the animals). There’s room in the world for plenty more stars and our plants deserve it. The therapeutic, medicinal and nutritional power of plants cannot be overestimated. They are, after all, the source of what gives us life! The carbon cycle illustrates how we can all live together in a harmonious and productive way. Plants on land and in the ocean convert carbon dioxide to biomass through photosynthesis. The carbon returns to the atmosphere when the plants decay, are eaten and digested by animals. I think there is so much beauty in nature’s simplicity and wonder, and we often learn so much from Mother Nature. Aren’t we lucky to be living in a country where we have so much produce and can enjoy the luxury of this vast choice to satisfy all of our individual diets and preferences? Meat, dairy, fish, seafood, vegetables, cereals, chillis, beer, wine, culinary lavender, edible flowers, sugar, honey, herbs and so much more! Whatever diet you choose to live by – whether you are vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, omnivore, flexitarian – aren’t we lucky that we have this luxury of choice when other people in the world are not so fortunate? Consuming ‘better’ meat, is perhaps only desirable and achievable for possibly the most affluent demographic of our society? The good and philanthropic intentions are there, but in practice, I personally don’t think this is realistic or indeed achievable. We conveniently forget that there are currently 8.4 million people in the UK who are living in poverty which is the equivalent of the population of london. Insisting that we should get the best quality meat that money can buy is a little ignorant and patronising. However, Great Britain does have the best animal welfare standards in the world, and for those who can afford the luxury of choice, we can, and should, be eating 100% pasture-fed livestock. Please don’t eat lamb from New Zealand of beef from Australia, but please do support our British food producers; especially our farmers. The provenance of our food is of the upmost importance and crucial to the education of our children. Simply knowing where our food comes from lends each and everyone of us a deeper understanding of the world, nature and the circle of life. Whether or not you live in the town or in the country, coast or inland, bridging that gap is what I help try to do. To understand and appreciate our food, we need to know how it’s produced I believe wholeheartedly that we, as a nation, need to support our British food producers now more than ever before and to ensure we educate and communicate to the general public the right information, especially about regenerative agriculture, and sustainable fishing, and not incomplete, sensationalist propaganda. This is so people can make informed decisions and choices that’s good and right for them. So with more plants, and better meat, we need to support our farmers, because without them there is simply no food. My other mantra is to ‘buy local, buy sustainably, buy seasonally, and when you’re in this country, please buy, and love British food’. Follow @jennyljefferies

The UK’s much-anticipated British Food Fortnight returns in two weeks from 20th September to 6th October 2024, marking its 23rd year as the nation's leading celebration of all things British food. Set against the backdrop of the harvest season, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with activities, promotions, and celebrations taking place across the country. This annual event, embraced by communities, retailers, and the public sector alike, is a unique opportunity to highlight the diversity and quality of British food. The fortnight is supported by local communities as well as being backed by most of the major food service organisations and the public sector meaning that schools, hospitals, universities and care homes join pubs and restaurants in celebrating British food. Morrisons is the Official Retail Partner having signed a three-year partnership with the organisers, Love British Food. A Message from Love British Food Founder, Alexia Robinson: “We are thrilled to see British Food Fortnight growing stronger each year. This celebration is about more than just food; it’s about community and sustainability. We are excited to partner with Morrisons, who have been exceptional leaders on British food and farming. Their commitment to making good food available for all aligns perfectly with our mission. With so many exciting activities planned, we hope everyone will join us in celebrating the very best of British food.” Highlights of British Food Fortnight 2024: Morrisons Involvement: throughout British Food Fortnight Morrisons will be celebrating the best of autumn's British produce, meat and fish on Market Street with great value prices and in store marketing displays. In addition, the community champions that are based in all of Morrisons supermarkets and work closely with the communities surrounding each store will be rewarding local groups who focus on increasing access to fresh, seasonal British food. Community Focus: The British Food Fortnight Community Competition, in association with Morrisons, returns to celebrate individuals and volunteer organisations making “good food available for all.” Liz Earle, wellbeing entrepreneur and broadcaster, will lead the judging panel, focusing on the availability and affordability of good food in communities. “I have been involved in British Food Fortnight for over a decade. I love how the event inspires communities to celebrate the wonderful food we produce in this country. But the stark reality is that not everyone has access to good food. So the spotlight of this competition on the availability and affordability of good food for all is something I feel deeply strongly about, particularly in my role as Commissioner for the Social Justice Commission. I am delighted to be the lead judge. If you are an individual or organisation working hard to make ‘Good food available to all’ in your community, we want to hear from you!” Liz Earle MBE, wellbeing broadcaster and entrepreneur and Love British Food ambassador “At Morrisons we love British food and are delighted to be partnering with British Food Fortnight. We share the ambition for affordable fresh food to be available to everyone - it's one of our core values. So I'm honoured to be on the judging panel for this competition which profiles and rewards the unsung heroes in our community who are helping to ensure more people can enjoy great British food.” David Scott, Director of Morrisons Corporate Affairs New Competitions: The Great British Pie Challenge, a new addition for 2024, invites school and hospital chefs to compete against hospitality chefs in creating the ultimate British pie. Judged by Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard and Master Chefs of GB’s Ben Bartlett, the competition has already garnered significant interest, particularly among hospital caterers. Nationwide Participation: Over 2,800 schools, 10+ universities, 20+ hospitals and many care homes will showcase British food on their menus, promoting nutritious and sustainable eating. Leading food service organisations like Aramark, Sodexo, Chartwells and Brakes are also participating with special promotions and events. Hard-Hitting Campaigns: During the fortnight, Love British Food will release a set of ‘wishes’ for a national food strategy, to be presented at the Labour Party Conference. Leading chefs will sign a letter highlighting supply chain challenges in sourcing British food. National Harvest Service: The event will conclude with the National Harvest Service at Southwark Cathedral in London. This year’s service is being run in partnership with City Harvest, the food charity that redistributes 1.2 millions meals a month to those in need across London. The service takes place in a different city every year during British Food Fortnight. The Harvest Torch is travelling from Peterborough, where the service was held last year, to London. Her Majesty The Queen who instigated the National Harvest Service at Westminster Abbey in 2013, supports the service every year. Looking Ahead:  British Food Fortnight promises a dynamic program of activities designed to engage and inspire communities, businesses, and public sector organisations to embrace British food. From farm visits for NHS caterers to school menus and national competitions, the event showcases the best of British food production and the importance of making good food available for all.

As Love British Food completes its 9th farm visit for NHS caterers, they launch a new film to inspire catering managers, procurement teams and Trust CEOs to consider the connection between how food is produced and its contribution to patient outcomes. The film was made at Holkham Estate in Norfolk where Alexia Robinson, Founder and CEO of Love British Food, led the most recent farm visit in the campaign’s programme to encourage NHS catering teams to consider British sourcing. Film: https://youtu.be/FWIJMYmySrI Love British Food has now hosted 43 hospitals from 36 NHS Trusts on farm visits. 193 people have attended these visits, but the message has reached far more as catering managers have gone back to their trusts to discuss the importance and role of British sourcing with their dietitian and procurement leads. Alexia Robinson, Love British Food Founder, commented: “We know it is not enough to ask catering teams to buy British. We need to explain why. So, the aim of these farm visits has been to enthuse catering teams to see ‘buying British’ as a ‘carrot’ rather than a ‘Buying Standards stick’ as I fear the perpetually consulted upon New Government Buying Standards make it sound. I genuinely believe these visits have created excitement about buying British in NHS catering teams. Together with the farmers who have hosted the visits with me, we have answered the question ‘Why buy British’ and explained how doing so contributes to patient outcomes, sustainability, net zero goals and Trusts’ role as anchor institutions for supporting their community. Love British Food has inspired caterers to think about the connection between how food is produced and its nutritional value and empowered those attending to go back into their Trusts and: Look at where they currently source from, produce a provenance map and discuss with suppliers. Consider flexible menus that enable seasonal sourcing. Discuss opportunities with their procurement teams and dietitians. I always describe Love British Food’s ethos as ‘inspiring change-makers’ and these visits epitomise this.” My yardstick of success is the comments of those who have attended the farm visits…’inspired, informed and empowered’ would be how I would summarise what they have all said. I think the debate about the public sector buying 50% British food and how it is defined is a fruitless exercise…. round and round in circles we go and the new Ministerial team will go as we have done for more than a decade. I believe to my core that there is a better way…inspiring, empowering and enabling catering teams, food service organisations and suppliers rather than issuing diktats.” Phil Shelley, Chair NHS Food Review, National Lead for Net Zero Food: “The farm visit programme that Alexia has created for our teams has influenced and empowered those attending to go back into their Trusts and take actions, including, where they currently source their food and how to create flexible menus with seasonal products. Love British Food’s farm visits have opened up conversations and started to prepare the larger manufactures and distributors to work differently. Relationships are being built as a result and they changing the mentality and methodology in the attitude to buying British and working directly with the farming industry. Good food continues to be at the heart of our health and well-being, and the link between field and the plate never changes.” Tim Radcliffe, Net Zero Food Programme Manager: “The benefits from Love British Food’s farm visits may take time to show. When you plant a seed, you don’t get fruit that year or even next year. But what we are doing through the farm visit programme is planting seeds, raising the consciousness and highlighting the opportunities. This is as much for farmers and growers as caterers. Our aim is to have a more robust, transparent, sustainable British supply chain. This provides better outcomes for our patients and puts our hospitals at the heart of our communities. And Alexia’s work taking NHS catering teams round farms is a key part of achieving this.” Notes to Editor: Links to Films and further detail on the farm visits: Norfolk Farm Visit (Long): https://youtu.be/FWIJMYmySrI Norfolk Farm Visit (Short): https://youtu.be/mU5QReBUcRM Details of all farms visits: https://lovebritishfood.co.uk/farm-visits-for-caterers List of Love British Food Farm Visits for NHS caterers: Overbury Estate nr Tewkesbury, Feb 2022 Hollis Mead Organic Dairy, West Dorset, May 2022 Moor Farm, Hereford Beef, North Shropshire, May 2023 The Organic Pantry vegetable growers, Tadcaster, Yorkshire, May 2023 Farm Ed, regenerative farming demonstration centre, September 2023 Public Sector Influencers event: Hammonds End mixed farm, Hertfordshire, March 2024 Carraig Dubh Dexters Hammonds End Farm, Northern Ireland, May 2024 Holden Farm Dairy, Bwlchwernen Fawr, Lampeter, Wales, June 2024 Holkham Estate, June 2024 43 hospitals across 36 Trusts, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, have attended Love British Food’s Farm Visits: HOSPITALS THAT HAVE ATTENDED LOVE BRITISH FOOD FARM VISITS England Ashford & St Peters Hospital Bradford Teaching Hospital Christchurch Hospital Countess of Chester NHS Hospital Trust Darlington Memorial Hospital Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust East Cheshire NHS Trust Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust Hawkhurst Community Hospital James Paget University Hospital Kettering Hospital Manchester University Trust Milton Keynes University Hospital Musgrove Hospital North Bristol NHS Trust Northampton Healthcare Trust Nottingham University Hospital Oxford Health Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Royal Bournemouth Hospital Royal Devon University Hospital Royal Free London Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospital Sheffield Teaching Hospital Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Solent NHS Trust Somerset NHS Trust Southmead Hospital South Tees Hospital South West Yorkshire Trust Stepping Hill Hospital Stockport NHS Trust Taunton Hospital The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospital N.Ireland Causeway Hospital Lagan Valley Hospital Antrim Area Hospital Downe Hospital Ulster Hospital Whiteabby Hospital Gansha Hospital  NHS TRUSTS THAT HAVE ATTENDED LOVE BRITISH FOOD FARM VISITS England Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust East Cheshire NHS Trust Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Kettering General Hospital Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust Northampton General Hospital North Bristol NHS Trust Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Royal Free London Sandwell & Birmingham NHS Trust Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Solent NHS Trust Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Stockport NHS Foundation Trust The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust Wales NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership Hywel Dda UHB Velindre UHB Wales NHS Confederation Northern Ireland Northern Health and Social Care Trust South Eastern Trust Western Trust

As a Stakeholder and supporter of Love British Food, The Sustainable Restaurant Association shares insights into why the provenance of our food matters and how restaurants can celebrate the best of British food.