The UK’s largest annual celebration of homegrown food and the farmers who produce it, returns from 26 September to 12 October. The nation comes together for British Food Fortnight, for the 24 th year, with founder and CEO, Alexia Robinson, saying: “This year’s theme shines a spotlight on food’s deep-rooted connections with each of us – the bond that sustains the nation, physically, culturally, and economically. “Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, political pressures, and a challenging market, ensuring Britain’s food security is our number one priority.” At the heart of British Food Fortnight is a rallying call to back British farmers and celebrate the quality, diversity, and provenance of our food. Leading industry figures and organisations are uniting to support the campaign. Nation Farmers Union president, Tom Bradshaw says: “This British Food Fortnight comes on the back of a very hard two years for many farmers and growers. Public support means the world to those out in all weathers producing great British food for the nation. This fortnight is a great chance to celebrate all they do, so please show your support by trying to buy British wherever you can.” It is a sentiment echoed by Shadow Farming Minister, Robbie Moore MP, who says: “From the family farms that have been part of our countryside for generations to our young farmers bringing fresh ideas into the industry, British farming is the backbone of our rural economy. This year’s Food Fortnight celebrations are bigger than ever and I would encourage everyone to use this moment to show their support!” A true community movement, British Food Fortnight stretches from field to fork, reaching into every corner of the UK. For the first time celebrations are planned across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. From city authorities to remote rural village halls, from the nation’s classrooms to its care homes, to universities and hospitals, everyone is united by one thing – putting British food centre stage. From giant puddings, floating food festivals, street food cookery workshops, bakery tours to farm visits, anyone can join in the fun. On the high street, the newly launched Community Champion of Change competition, is running in collaboration with lead retail partner, Morrisons, celebrating individuals and groups who are making a difference in backing British food. At a grassroots level, farmers have expressed their support of this vital campaign and encourage the public to take part. As Gloucestershire pig farmer, Anna Longthorp explains: “There is only one person with more power than supermarkets and successive governments, and that is you, the consumer; vote with your hard-earned cash and buy British.” David Webster, chief executive of LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) says: “British Food Fortnight is a powerful reminder of the incredible contribution our farmers make – not only in producing high-quality, sustainable food, but also in caring for our environment and supporting rural communities.” Reaching a crescendo The celebrations culminate with the Harvest Torch, which has travelled from Southwark Cathedral to Suffolk where it has been paraded at agricultural shows all summer culminating in a special Harvest Service at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 5th October, the middle weekend of British Food Fortnight. From there it will travel to London for the National Harvest Service at Westminster Abbey the week after the national food celebrations, on World Food Day, where it will be carried by the President of the NFU and lead the Offertory Procession. This finale brings together a partnership between Love British Food with The Trussell Trust, The Felix Project, the Coronation Food Project and City Harvest, highlighting the importance of making good food accessible to all. Get involved “We are incredibly grateful for the support from all our partners and Food Heroes who help us amplify the voices of British farmers and ensure British Food Fortnight 2025 is a resounding success in promoting local, sustainable food,” adds Alexia. Let’s come together to grow, cook, and champion British food, supporting our farmers every step of the way. To discover how to take part and find local events, visit www.lovebritishfood.co.uk or follow @LoveBritishFood on social media. Supporters from across the supply chain have shared their commitment to British Food Fortnight: “From hospitals to hospitality, British food creates some fantastic dishes and it’s only right that we celebrate the amazing contribution our farmers and growers make,” James Armitage, marketing director, Fresh Direct. “Choosing British strengthens supply chains, supports rural jobs, and promotes sustainable farming. For organisations, it’s a chance to show real commitment to provenance and resilience.” Philip Rayner, co-founder and MD, Glebe Farm Foods “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." Derek Wright, catering service manager, Blackpool Catering Services “We’re proud to champion British Food Fortnight by showcasing the best of local produce. Supporting British farmers and suppliers isn’t just about great taste — it’s about sustainability, quality, and celebrating the food heritage that brings communities together.” Caroline Morgan, Local Food Links, Dorset "Supporting British farming means supporting nature, rural economies, and the future of local produce. British Food Fortnight is an opportunity to showcase the innovation and passion at the heart of our industry.” Sarah Haire, Dunbia. “I’m delighted for NSA to join lots of other farming and food organisations in being part of British Food Fortnight. It’s really important to reflect on just how fortunate we are to have such an abundance of high quality food and drink, produced here in Britain with care and a lot of hard work by farmers and many others throughout our supply chain. ” Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association Farmers from across the UK have also added the voices: “British farmers and growers are resilient, hardworking, innovative and deliver some of the highest quality and best tasting food in the world. British Food Fortnight is a celebration of all our hard work!” Alison Capper, Worcestershire farmer and executive chair of British Apples & Pears “British food fortnight showcases the safe, ethical and sustainable food produced by British farmers - supporting British farmers, helps sustain our food security, rural communities and countryside.” Holly Atkinson, dairy farmer, Devon “British Food Fortnight is a great opportunity to support farmers, to help them produce healthy, nutritious food, while at the same time benefiting nature. When nature thrives, so does farming, and when farming thrives, so does the country.” James Robinson, Strickley Farm, Cumbria “Supporting British farmers means backing the people who care for our land, produce high-quality food, and steward our countryside for future generations, British Food Fortnight is the perfect moment to celebrate that.” Sophie Gregory, dairy farmer, Devon

As part of British Food Fortnight this year we would like you to welcome you to Honeybuns bakery for an exclusive peek behind the scenes. Taking place on Saturday 11 October, this exclusive event will include a tour of our artisan bakery, followed by a guided walk around the nature reserve here at Naish Farm, and finishing with oodles of cake tastings (of course!). We have two sessions on the day. The first runs from 2.00pm to 3.30pm, and the second from 3.30pm to 5.00pm. £15 per person payable on booking. All monies go to The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project, a local community garden. Spaces are limited so make sure you book your place. Contact details below.

Growing numbers of customers want to buy British food Support for British farmers and food producers is palpable here in the South West. The snaking queues at numerous farm shops such as Teals, Darts Farm and Felicity’s are testament to a growing market for thoughtfully and locally produced fresh food. The phenomenon that is Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat has also turbo charged interest in our amazing British food heritage. Deliciously stocked rural vending machines are also tapping into this sustained interested in artisan food. Our local one at Woodbridge Farm, home of the esteemed Blue Vinny cheese, sells beautiful chutneys, cheeses, yoghurt and fresh milk with not a single mass produced sausage roll in sight. You can pop in there 24/7 knowing that everything there is made either on the farm or in Dorset. According to Emily Davies, owner of Blue Vinney, "With business costs rising and no proportional improvement in the milk price for decades it has provided us with an invaluable opportunity of maintaining control over our own products as well as a brilliant shop window for education, trialling anything new or seasonal and just having fun." Quoting from the Public Sector Catering website, “more than 80% of people surveyed believe it’s important to buy British Food”. The stats from the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme are even more heartening, “91% trust UK food that is exclusively produced in the UK”. British Farming and Food have weathered the storm - it’s now time to celebrate Following on from the brutal challenges of the pandemic, lockdowns and the ensuing cost of living crisis, consumer confidence fell in British Food from 2021-2024. The Ukraine crisis with its disruption to the supply of key ingredients from wheat to sunflower oil led the United Nations to state, “The United Nations has warned that the combination of COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine crisis has led to the biggest food crisis after the World War II”. Gloomy days indeed - heaven knows we are ready for a bit of a party. So the fact that trust in British Food is now at its highest since 2021 truly is something to celebrate. By popping up your British Food Fortnight bunting and going all red white and blue on your chosen day(s) your team and your customers can wave the flag for our fabulous food heritage. From the iconic Cornish pasty to the creamy Cranachan of the Highlands, our beloved isle is full to bursting with gastronomic treasure.

The organisers of British Food Fortnight and its official retail partner, Morrisons, have launched this year’s Community Competition to identify and recognise individuals, community groups, and organisations driving positive change in their local food systems. A key initiative which runs from 26 September to 12 October, the newly titled Love British Food Champion of Change competition is a celebration of the people creating deeper connections to British produce across their communities. In partnership with Love British Food, Morrisons is encouraging nominations from individuals and organisations, with the retailer’s in store network of community champions playing a key role in the nominations process. Morrisons Community Manager, Joseph Clark-Bland, said; “The Champion of Change competition is a chance for the industry to celebrate the unsung heroes working tirelessly to make British food the first choice on every plate. We look forward to giving recognition to those who share Morrisons values by inspiring others to explore the incredible variety and quality of food grown right here in the UK.” The competition provides a platform for recognising those creating stronger connections with British food. Morrisons’ involvement in this initiative aligns with its ongoing efforts to support a sustainable food system and champion the use of high-quality, locally sourced British ingredients. Love British Food founder, Alexia Robinson encourages competition entries ahead of the deadline on 12 October 2025. “We’d love to hear about inspirational people, whether they’re championing British produce from farms or in schools, universities, care homes, hospitals or restaurants. Nominees could be making a tangible difference by reducing food waste, food miles, alleviating food poverty, or promoting healthy, seasonal diets. Any initiative that supports British food and encourages others to make informed food choices would make ideal candidates, so please share their stories with us.”

Get ready to savour success during British Food Fortnight. Love British Food, in partnership with Morrisons, is seeking extraordinary individuals and community groups making a real difference in their local food systems to crown the 2025 Champion of Change. The newly launched community competition is a key initiative during British Food Fortnight which runs from 26 September to 12 October. An opportunity to celebrate the people creating deeper connections to Britain’s food roots, the campaign founder, Alexia Robinson encourages people to submit competition entries. “This is an opportunity to recognise the hard work of those building a better, more sustainable food future. If you’re driving change in your community, we want to share your inspirational stories! “In 24 years of organising British Food Fortnight, one thing that consistently astounds me is the dedication of people working at a grass roots level. Anyone making a tangible difference, whether by reducing food waste, food miles, alleviating food poverty, or promoting healthy diets, any initiative that supports British food and encourages others to make informed food choices are worthy champions.” As Love British Food’s official retail partner, Morrisons, is encouraging nominations from its customers through the store’s network of community managers. Morrisons Community Manager, Joseph Clark-Bland encourages people from across the UK to get involved; “As champions of British food, we are delighted to support Love British Food’s Champion of Change competition. This is a chance to celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make British food the first choice on every plate. The competition provides an exciting platform to recognise those having a lasting impact on their communities by developing a stronger connection with British food.” Individuals can submit their nominations online, sharing why their nominee deserves to be celebrated in no more than 500 words. The deadline is Sunday, 12 October 2025. For more information please visit: https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/community-competition

Here at Fresh Direct, the UK’s leading wholesale fresh produce supplier, we fully understand our responsibility to set a precedent for others to follow when it comes to sustainability. Our vision is very clear – we will continue to lead the industry by championing UK farmers, embracing regenerative practices, and driving meaningful change across the sector – and we have a number of initiatives under way to deliver this vision. Irrespective of sector, the public care more than ever about where their food comes from and the standards in place to demonstrate sustainable sourcing. And as part of our efforts to meet customer needs, we recently announced a commitment to ensure all contracted UK fresh produce growers are LEAF Marque certified by the end of 2025. This move strengthens our environmental standards, with a focus on supporting growers to implement more sustainable farming practices. These include energy efficiency and carbon reduction, responsible soil and water management, minimising waste, and enhancing local biodiversity. Our Managing Director Andy Pembroke, said: “As a business, we are not only committed to reducing our impact on the environment, but also to ensuring we make a positive contribution to a more sustainable future for farming. And we want to work with growers who share that vision. Making this pledge for all our contracted UK fresh produce to be LEAF Marque certified represents a real step forward for our sector and we are grateful for the support of our growers who have really stepped up to the challenge. It’s also fantastic news for our customers who can see our demonstrable commitment to a sustainable future.” As we work towards full LEAF certification by the end of 2025, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to accelerate the transition to more resilient, transparent, and environmentally conscious food systems. Clare Mike, Director of Technical & Business Development at LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), added: “Fresh Direct’s pledge is a significant milestone in the journey towards more sustainable and resilient farming systems. This commitment not only supports the adoption of Integrated Farm Management practices but also demonstrates a proactive approach to climate change, biodiversity, and soil and water health. We’re proud to collaborate with forward-thinking partners like Fresh Direct, whose leadership sets a powerful example for the entire foodservice sector.” She added: “This exemplifies the kind of collaborative action needed across the agri-food sector to drive meaningful change. By aligning its supply chain with LEAF Marque standards, Fresh Direct is not only enhancing the sustainability of their operations but also setting a precedent for others to follow. It is through such leadership and commitment that we can build a more resilient food system for the future.” It's a cliché – but as an organisation it’s true that we are on a journey to deliver a better future. I have confidence my expert colleagues and the network of committed British growers we work with will take us to a destination we can all be proud of. Contributor Bio Lee O’Mahoney is Brand Marketing Manager at Fresh Direct . Along with the rest of the Marketing team his focus is on championing the brand, communicating the market leading initiatives the organisation delivers, and putting a voice behind dedicated partner growers and their glorious produce.

As British Food Fortnight approaches (26 September to 12 October), food supply chain partners are joining forces to champion Love British Food’s call for businesses and consumers to ‘Make the Switch’ and choose British produce – not only during the campaign, but all year round. The pledge encourages retailers, public sector caterers, hospitality providers, and households to make small, manageable changes to their buying habits, opting for seasonal British ingredients wherever possible. This approach, say campaign supporters, can have a ripple effect – boosting food security, strengthening local supply chains, and safeguarding high welfare and environmental standards. Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food, says: “Supporting British food doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. By encouraging businesses and home cooks – to take one simple step with their food choices, we can make a lasting difference to the resilience of our food system.” Industry figures backing the pledge include the campaign’s partners Bon Culina, Brakes, Fresh Direct and Glebe Farm. Collectively, they are calling on their networks to play an active role in ensuring that British farmers’ produce reaches more plates across the UK. The campaign comes at a time when food security is under increasing scrutiny, and when the public is being urged to recognise the value of Britain’s world-class farming. By making small, conscious choices to buy British, consumers and businesses alike can invest in farm businesses, support rural communities, and create a more sustainable future for UK food and farming. British Food Fortnight is the UK’s biggest annual, national celebration of the diverse, sustainable food produced across the country.