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History of British Food Fortnight
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British Food Fortnight was conceived in response to the fact that, though there are numerous food initiatives, projects and events taking place across Britain, there was no overall flagship event to bring them to the public's attention. It was held for the first time in Autumn 2002 at the same time as Harvest Festival, the traditional time for celebrating our food.
Since its launch, the event has quickly become the definitive national celebration of our regional foods and drinks, and the health benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce. It has established itself on the national calendar extremely quickly. By focusing effort on a calendar date it gives people involved in the food business something to aim for and helps concentrate their efforts. It is therefore much more than a mere date in the diary. It is proving an important influencer in engaging the retail, catering, education and volunteer sectors and in establishing a more robust market for Britain's food and drink. |
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Read more...
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Achievements in Government |
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- 80 MPs have attended receptions to hear about the role of the Fortnight in promoting British food. In 2004, 41 MPs supported the event within their constituencies. Cherie Blair at the 2003 Labour Party Conference picked up one of our leaflets and exclaimed, "Ah, British Food Fortnight - now that's a good idea!"
- All three government organisations responsible for food have been involved: the Department for Education & Skills, the Department of Health and the Department for Food, the Environment & Rural Affairs through Food from Britain. [Note: the organisers 'think' that this is the first time all three departments have worked together under a common umbrella]
The public sector has supported the event en masse: the NHS, schools and many major Government departments have put British food on their menus including the Cabinet Office, the Treasury, Portcullis House (where MPs have their London offices), the Department for Transport, the Department for Work & Pensions, HM Revenue & Customs, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, many NHS Trusts and school catering services. Oxfordshire County Council report the event has enticed double the usual number of school children to eat school meals! |
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