A recently released report from food and farming alliance Sustain has called on the government to increase its support for organic food.
The report, Bridging the Gap, highlights the potential for greater production and consumption of organic food to support healthier diets, reduce long-term pressures on the NHS, and strengthen the resilience of UK farming. It notes that organic systems typically rely less on chemical inputs, help to restore soil health, and offer a pathway to more sustainable and future-proofed supply chains.
Targeted support, according to the document, could also help unlock new economic opportunities for growers, retailers and manufacturers, particularly as consumer interest in sustainably produced food continues to rise. The analysis points to mounting demand for products with strong environmental and welfare credentials, suggesting that organic produce is well-positioned for further mainstream growth.
Setting out three priority actions, the report calls for urgent steps to fix and grow the UK’s fruit, veg and pulse sector:
- Boost British production
Expand homegrown supply through coordinated horticulture strategies and targeted support for small and organic farmers. - Repair the “missing middle”
Invest in the local food infrastructure needed to get produce from field to market and strengthen supply chain rules to ensure fair prices. - Improve access for everyone
Use the state’s £5bn school and hospital food budget to create guaranteed markets for organic and local produce, and scale schemes that help low-income households afford healthy food.
For further information, visit “Bridging the Gap”