The eighth British Food Fortnight takes place from 19 September to 4 October 2009 during Harvest Festival, the traditional time for celebrating our food.

The event will celebrate the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in pubs and restaurants, food and cookery lessons in schools and glorious food festivals. Whether you are shopping in supermarkets or local shops, or eating in pubs or restaurants you will be able to enjoy the best of British food during the Fortnight.

We would like to thank the following organisations that have, in addition to our main sponsors listed above, kindly contributed funding towards the costs of the event:

Brakes, Country Markets, National Farmers’ Union, National Trust, Sodexo, and Tenant Farmers Association.

The aim of British Food Fortnight is to:

• make the public – and in particular young people – aware of the diverse and delicious food and drink that Britain produces and the many food experiences available
• increase awareness of the health benefits – and pleasures - of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regional produce
• increase the amount of food education in schools by encouraging teachers to hold special events for young people during the fortnight in the hope that this will generate the enthusiasm & interest necessary to sustain similar activity year-round
• encourage producers, retailers, restaurants, pubs and tourism outlets to all take a proactive role in educating the public – and in particular young people - about the food and drink that their region produces.

And ultimately to nurture a renaissance in the pleasures of preparing and eating regional food and drink.