The Local Food Growth Plan has been launched after two years of consultation and engagement, led by Sustain and the Landworkers’ Alliance, with support from Sustainable Food Trust, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission and Pasture for Life.
The Plan covers policy, infrastructure, marketing and public engagement, operations, skills and sector collaboration, showing how a resilient food system is grounded in local supply chains that benefit farmers, nature and the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Bringing together stakeholders from across the local food sector, from farmers and growers to local food businesses and retailers, the report sets out a cohesive Local Food Growth Plan which can challenge an overreliance on food imports and build a more resilient food system in the UK.
As the government develops its forthcoming Food Strategy and the 25 Year Farming Roadmap, the report sets out 7 key priorities to help develop a more resilient food system..
The 7 key priorities identified in the Plan are as follows:
- Establish local food growth plans for each region in the UK
- Enable and invest in policies to support local food retail and processing infrastructure
- Prioritise edible horticulture support via a national Horticulture Strategy
- Create a roadmap for meeting the commitment to public sector food procurement standards
- Enable decisive action to make food supply chains fairer for farmers, such as strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator
- Recognise the vital role of localised food strategies and food partnership networks in transforming supply chains
- Promote influential marketing, and targeted business and training support to help the local food sector thrive
For further information, visit Local Food Growth Plan | Local Food Plan