The Source

26 September – 12 October 2025

British Food Fortnight, the best established annual promotion of British food across the public sector, returns today, and is going from strength to strength. The nationwide celebration is proven to deliver results, with more catering teams than ever expected to take part in the public sector.

Schools, care homes, hospitals, universities , prisons - reflecting the supportive ‘family’ that is the Public Sector Catering (PSC) Alliance, of which Love British Food has been one of the longest-serving members. TUCO, NACC, HCA and LACA all actively support British Food Fortnight and encourage their members to take part.

3,000+ schools, 40+ hospitals and hundreds of care homes are all expected to join.

Celebrations across Britain 

This year marks the first time in several years that all four nations are taking part, supported by the launch of a new four-nation series of the Love British Food logo.

Menu promotions during the fortnight will showcase the passion public sector caterers have for fresh, seasonal British produce, and the value they place on close relationships with suppliers who help to deliver robust supply chains.

• Hospital promotions will be led by Bon Culina and Medirest, both Official Partners of Love British Food.
• Other Official Partners serving the public sector include OCS, Chartwells, Brakes, Fresh Direct, Harrison Catering, and Essential Cuisine.
• Regional suppliers Local Food Links and Derbyshire Catering Services are Food Hero members.

Chartwells (Compass) is celebrating British Food Fortnight in 2,000 schools with classic British recipes and menu takeovers.

NHS participation: 

Exemplar NHS Trusts in England have committed to taking part, renewing their pledge earlier this year. Many Trusts are running patient-focused activities.

At Yeovil District Hospital, a bronze exemplar site, celebrations include a daily menu of British classics, from beer-battered haddock and chips to roast beef wraps with bubble & squeak fritters, alongside British desserts in the cafe.

Farm visit success:

The success of British Food Fortnight builds on Love British Food’s extensive on-farm training programme, which has now hosted over 214 public sector caterers on 10 farms.

Committed to delivering a positive change on the ground.

Love British Food calls these participants ‘change-makers,’ as they return to their workplaces inspired to source British and equipped with the knowledge of why it matters. The programme, initially focused on NHS caterers, has now expanded to include NACC and TUCO members.

Public Sector Quotes:

Professor Jayne Jones, Chair, Public Sector Catering Alliance, and Assistant Director (Facilities and Production), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:

“British Food Fortnight is a highlight in any public sector caterer's calendar, as it gives us a chance to showcase the wonderful local produce that we provide across our sector. We serve amazing local and seasonal produce across schools, hospitals, care homes, universities and prisons, and it's inspiring to see the work of Love British Food and other partners continue to grow the connection between producers, caterers and everyone involved in the supply chain in between to strengthen that sustainable access to local food for all.

Caterers are rightly proud to demonstrate their skills in preparing and serving local food, and the care and respect they have for quality produce reflects the care and respect our primary producers have for the land.

It's also wonderful to see this work reach across the devolved nations this year, providing a platform for each nation to showcase their pride in their local areas and the seasonal produce on offer.”

Derek Wright, Catering Services Manager, Blackpool Catering Services, said:

“School meals play a vital role in shaping children’s health and learning, and British Food Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to showcase the importance of fresh, local, and seasonal produce on the plates of our young people. By supporting British farmers, we not only invest in our children’s wellbeing but also strengthen our communities and food system for the future.”

Toby Haines, Sous Chef, Yeovil District Hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, commented:

“Here at Yeovil District Hospital, we will be celebrating British Food Fortnight with a selection of classics where they can expect a freshly prepared dish using local quality British ingredients every day. The bunting will be in place ready to celebrate on the 26th!”

Across Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, community hospitals will be hosting tea parties, display boards highlighting British suppliers, and even British apple tasting events.

Jane Wills, Deputy Facilities Manager, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, added:

“Within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust the Community Hospitals will be hosting tea parties for our patients, have display boards promoting the British food we provide, add union jack hearts to our menus to denote what products are British and one site hosts a British apple tasting event.”

Tim Radcliffe, Net Zero Food Programme Manager, NHS England, said:

“This year’s British Food Fortnight is especially important as it highlights the value of fresh, seasonal, and sustainable British produce at a time when supporting local food systems has never mattered more. For the NHS, it resonates deeply — nourishing patients, visitors, and staff with food that promotes health, wellbeing, and care. I’m delighted to see so many Trusts taking part this year, showing real pride in the meals they serve and the people they serve them to.”

Mike Haslin, CEO, TUCO, commented:

“British Food Fortnight holds a special place in the university food service calendar. It’s the time when we can truly spotlight the seasonality and quality of British food, while fostering stronger links between universities, producers and local supply chains.”

Philip Shelley, National Lead for Food, NHS England, sums up:

“Having British Food at the centre of our menu choice throughout healthcare is vital if we are to strengthen our commitment to farmers and local distributors in our regions. Every year, we take time to celebrate British Food Fortnight which highlights the opportunities, the quality of products and the sustainable measures which help us drive our net zero goals.”