The campaign is urging food businesses to increase the visibility of British produce on menus and shelves (Photo: Pinstone)
Britain’s food industry is being urged to put more home-grown produce on menus and shelves as British Food Fortnight marks its 25th anniversary amid continuing pressure on farmers and domestic supply chains.
The national campaign, which runs from 26 September to 11 October, is bringing together retailers, caterers, schools, hospitals and foodservice businesses in a nationwide push to increase the visibility of British-produced food.
Love British Food says the anniversary is intended to turn public support for British produce into greater demand for food supplied by farmers, growers and producers across the UK.
The campaign comes as farming and food businesses continue to contend with cost pressures and difficult trading conditions, increasing the focus on resilient and dependable domestic supply chains.
Partners supporting this year’s campaign include Compass Group, Red Tractor and Morrisons, alongside a number of foodservice and hospitality businesses.
Love British Food founder Alexia Robinson said the campaign was intended to encourage practical action across the food industry.
“British Food Fortnight has always been about turning support for British food into action,” she said.
“For 25 years, we have worked with organisations across the food industry to make British food more visible in the places where people shop and eat.”
Robinson said sourcing decisions, menu changes and promotions could all help strengthen demand for British produce and deepen links between businesses and domestic suppliers.
“This anniversary year we are continuing to gather momentum, giving the whole industry a reason to get involved,” she said.
“Working together we can create more events, more exposure and more engagement to drive lasting, positive change.”
Activity is taking place across schools, hospitals, universities, care homes, hospitality businesses, retailers and foodservice operators.
Examples include school-grown produce being transformed by a MasterChef Professional finalist and hospitals serving nostalgic British menu favourites to staff and patients.
Schools are also running cookery sessions, harvest celebrations, farm visits, recipe competitions and seasonal menu themes.
Elsewhere, organisations are holding tastings, cookery demonstrations, producer showcases, food festivals, community meals and promotional events.
Compass Group is supporting the campaign and is working with Love British Food on a Celebrating British Food reception at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
The event is intended to highlight the contribution British food makes to communities, employment and economic activity across the UK.
Geoffrey Campion, public affairs director at Compass Group, said: “British Food Fortnight is always a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the quality and diversity of British food, and to engage customers through seasonal menus and local sourcing stories.”
He added: “It's a wonderful opportunity to recognise the people and businesses who help feed the nation every day."
Morrisons is also partnering with Love British Food on the 2026 Champion of Change community competition.
The competition recognises individuals, groups and organisations strengthening connections with British produce through growing, sourcing, cooking, serving, education or widening access to fresh and seasonal food.
Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 11 October.
Red Tractor is also backing the campaign, with chief executive Paul McLaughlin saying the partnership provides an opportunity to improve consumer understanding of British food production and assurance.
He said: “One key purpose of Red Tractor assurance is to build consumer confidence in British food and drink.”
Brakes and Fresh Direct are supporting supplier storytelling and promotional activity during the fortnight.
Brakes said its previous promotions with Love British Food had generated increased customer engagement and higher sales, while also highlighting demand for provenance and British sourcing.
The company said resilience in Britain’s food supply chain had become increasingly important amid geopolitical uncertainty and changing climate conditions.
The campaign’s organisers are also placing a strong emphasis on the public sector, with hospitals, schools, universities and care homes among those being encouraged to promote British produce.
Anita Brown, chair of the Public Sector Catering Alliance, said Love British Food had become an established part of the public sector food landscape over the past 25 years.
For Robinson, however, the aim extends beyond the two-week campaign.
“British Food Fortnight gives the industry a focal point, but the ambition goes beyond two weeks,” she said.
“In our 25th anniversary year, we are calling on all our neighbours in the supply chain to engage with the campaign, champion British produce, and help make choosing British the natural choice.”
British Food Fortnight runs until 11 October, with organisers hoping the anniversary will encourage retailers, caterers and other food businesses to maintain a stronger focus on British sourcing beyond the campaign itself.