British Food Fortnight 2022, which kicks off today (17 September) will champion the value of short supply chain links between farms and public bodies amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The two-week event is organised by the Love British Food group, which is pressing the need for robust, short supply chains to replace more vulnerable and carbon-costly imports, particularly in the public sector.
See also: Consultation into pig supply chain fairness closes soon
Public bodies like the NHS, local authorities and defence organisations buy about £2.6bn of food each year – and about a quarter of that is imported.
With the Ukraine war causing uncertainty and disruption to supplies there are benefits on all sides to create strong domestic opportunities for farming, a spokesman for British Food Fortnight said.
During the two weeks, local authority school caterers and NHS teams will demonstrate how British food can be put on plates in schools and hospitals, with hundreds of caterers expected to take part.
Love British Food has looked to inspire and show the public sector how to source directly from British farmers, said the British Food Fortnight spokesman.
Selling direct
One farmer who will be taking part is Sean O’Neill, a beef farmer based in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Mr O’Neill has about 100 cattle, with beef sold direct to food markets and supplied to big chain retailers.
Over the past two months, Mr O’Neill has started to work with NHS buyers through a Love British Food working group.
Talks have, so far, focused on the NHS requirements for quality and quantity, and how a contract could be met by local producers.
At the outset it was just Mr O’Neill involved in discussions, but the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is now also getting involved.
“The UFU will be a big help because the contracts are large and will require about 200 farmers to fulfil the quotas,” he estimated.
As well as cutting carbon output and ensuring animal welfare standards are upheld, the local contracts will be more cost-effective, Mr O’Neill suggested.
He added that from the farmer’s point of view, the contracts would be robust and less exposed to the whims of retailers or local selling.
Talks are set to continue.
How to take part
To take part in British Food Fortnight’s wide range of events, follow @LoveBritishFood or visit lovebritishfood.co.uk.
The event will include a range of activities with food festivals taking place in most counties across the country.
There will also be a National Harvest service on 25 September at Chester Cathedral, where a sculpted-metal harvest torch will complete a tour of Britain.
