Why I am passionate about buying British
Chris Bavin
Chris is a greengrocer turned TV presenter. Ambassador for Love British Food, he is currently on our television screens as one of the judges on Celebrity Best Home Cook on BBC1 and as presenter of Wanted A Simple Life.
It used to be nice to buy British …. it is now essential.
I would like to say that I am not anti-import. In fact I have spent a lot of my life importing fresh produce from around the world, and there are lots of things that we cannot grow here, but I have always said that what we can grow in this country should be our priority.
Buying British, has always been the right thing to do, it has always been a nice thing to do, always been something that we should do; but now the time has come where we must support our farmers, growers,food producers and fishing industry.
Here in Britain we produce an incredible range of the very very best food you could hope for.
And I am so proud to be an Ambassador for Love British Food.
We have to start taking our own food supply much more seriously. We need to become much less dependent on imported foods. I appreciate that we will never be fully self-sufficient, and nor do we need to be , but we must buy what we can, and support as much as we can our own growers and producers.
We cannot expect our food industry to be on stand by in emergencies if we don’t support them all the time.
I know everyone is busy, and we are bombarded with a million messages a minute, but all I would say is if you can just take an extra second to think, is this British? Is a British version available? And try as much as you can to make that choice of buying British.
It is better for our country, it is better for you and your family and it is better for the environment.
In other news I have just finished filming a new series of Celebrity Best Home Cook which is on your screens every Tuesday and Wednesday evening. It was a lot of fun to film, even with Covid restrictions. I have also filmed a brand new series that is on BBC1 on Monday mornings (times vary) called 'Wanted A Simple Life', which is a show about people taking the lead and moving away form the bigger cities to the more remote rural part of the country. I'm sure you don’t need a reminder of what a beautiful country we live but do in check it out.
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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.
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As proud partners of Love British Food, Bon Culina and Glebe Farm Foods recently came together for a visit that celebrated collaboration across the food supply chain. The Bon Culina team, led by Head of Service Development Andy Jones, was welcomed to Glebe Farm Foods’ state-of-the-art facilities in Cambridgeshire by Philip Rayner, Managing Director and Founder for a tour and first-hand insight into their unique gluten-free oat production. The visit highlighted a shared mission – to ensure that British produce is celebrated, understood, and chosen across public sector catering procurement, from hospitals and care homes to schools and universities. A meeting of shared values Both Bon Culina and Glebe Farm Foods are committed to high-quality British ingredients, shorter supply chains, and sustainability. For Bon Culina, this means sourcing as locally as possible, building strong relationships with producers, and maintaining rigorous standards for nutrition and taste across the 151 hospitals they supply. For Glebe Farm Foods, it means managing Britain’s only farm-to-table gluten-free oat supply chain – from sowing and harvesting through to processing and packaging – right here in the UK. Andy Jones, past chair of HCA and PSCA and who sits on government think tanks, praised the visit as “enlightening” and commended the cleanliness and efficiency of Glebe Farm Foods’ processing operation. He noted how seeing the journey from field to finished product reinforces the value of connecting caterers directly with producers. Strengthening the public sector’s British food offering The collaboration is more than just a meeting of minds – it’s a practical step towards increasing the availability and visibility of British-grown ingredients in public sector menus. By building understanding between suppliers and caterers, both organisations can help overcome barriers, identify new recipe opportunities, and promote provenance to consumers. As part of the day’s discussions, Andy encouraged Glebe Farm Foods to explore opportunities with public sector catering bodies such as the Hospital Caterers Association, LACA, TUCO, and the National Association of Care Catering. These forums provide a direct route to decision-makers and can help amplify the role of British food in the sector. A legacy of championing British Andy’s involvement in Love British Food spans over two decades, alongside his leadership in campaigns such as Nutrition and Hydration Week. He believes initiatives like the Glebe Farm Foods visit are vital in turning seasonal campaigns into long-term change. “Partnerships like this are how we make a real difference,” Andy said. “From farm to fork, everyone has a role to play in ensuring the food we serve is not only nutritious and delicious, but also supports our farmers, reduces food miles, and strengthens our national food security.” Of the visit, Philip said: “Meetings such as the one with Bon Culina help develop relationships and recipes with Glebe Farm Foods . It’s a great way to ensure we can both work to get more British food and drink into hospitals and schools.” A view to the future The visit has already sparked ideas for how Glebe Farm Foods’ products might be incorporated into Bon Culina’s recipes, helping to broaden their British offering while keeping quality and sustainability at the forefront. Both teams left the day energised by the potential for collaboration – proving that when producers and caterers work hand in hand, British food can truly take centre stage in the public sector. Visit BonCulina Foodservice and Home - Glebe Farm for more information. Love British Food partners can arrange a similar visit by emailing: office@glebefarmfoods.co.uk
