British Food Fortnight 2024

British Food Fortnight 2024: celebrating the best of British produce

British Food Fortnight 2024 concluded its two-week celebration of the very best of British food with resounding success, embracing communities, retailers, and public sector institutions across the country. Kicking off at New Covent Garden Market in London, the fortnight was packed with lively events, promotions, and activities - all aimed at making British food accessible to everyone. 

The festivities culminated in the National Harvest Service at Southwark Cathedral, supported by HM The Queen, and highlighted the nation’s commitment to sustainable and local food production.

This year marked the first British Food Fortnight with Morrisons as the Exclusive Retail Partner, who announced a three-year partnership with Love British Food. They trialled a number of initiatives, including taking customers to visit local farms and a British food module for their in-store tours for primary schools.

The event saw outstanding participation, from schools and universities to hospitals and retailers, showcasing the diversity and quality of British food. Thousands of caterers crafted special menus to highlight British ingredients, reinforcing the nation's rich culinary heritage.

• Community Competition: Run in association with Morrisons, had a huge number of entries from communities across the UK with the same aim to make fresh, healthy British food available to all. Judged by David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director, Morrisons, Liz Earle, MBE and Alexia Robinson.  The winner was Trimsaran Primary School, Llanelli for creating an innovate food hub made from repurposed shipping containers for the community. 

• ·Great British Pie Challenge:  New addition for 2024, invited chefs and caterers across the UK to create the ultimate British pie.  Judged by Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard and Master Chefs of GB’s Ben Bartlett, the winner was a Beef, Potato and Rosemary Pie, created by the catering team at the University of Huddersfield using ingredients grown on campus.

• Schools and Universities:  Unprecedented participation from public sector institutions, including 100s of schools and 10 universities, celebrating British produce with themed menus, educational activities and producer visits.   

• Hospitals and Care Homes:  Celebrations included special menus, themed events and a farmers market from 35 hospitals.

• Community events: From Seafood Tours in Plymouth to Eat Local Celebrations in Cheshire, to food festivals in Abergavenny, Broadstairs, Brecon Beacons and Thame; village celebrations in Northumbria and community events across the UK including food history talks, cooking demos, tasting menus, food quiz nights, pop up shops at farm gates, producer farm visits and supplier talks in pubs.

• New Covent Garden Market: Celebrated British fruit and vegetable growers on first day of British Food Fortnight with an event attended by wholesalers, catering distributors, industry, government representatives and media.   The early morning event culminated with breakfast cooked using products sourced from the market’s Buyers Walk that morning, by student chefs from Westminster Kingsway College in Victoria.

• Brakes Foodie Expo: Over 70 stands featuring food, drink and the latest industry trends for customers, suppliers and media.

• National Harvest Service: British Food Fortnight concluded with the service at Southwark Cathedral, London in partnership with City Harvest, the food charity that redistributes 1.2 million meals a month to those in need across London.  The Harvest Torch travelled to London from Peterborough, where the service was held in 2023. 

What people said about British Food Fortnight 2024

“This year’s British Food Fortnight was one of the most successful to date. The level of enthusiasm, from community groups to retailers and public institutions, was incredible. It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to celebrate British food and ensure it is accessible to all. I want to pay special thanks to Morrisons, and all of our Official Partners for making the fortnight possible - without their support, it could simply not happen.“

Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food

“We have really enjoyed working with Love British Food for the first year of our three year partnership. We have introduced some great Morrisons initiatives such as Farm Tours and have added a British Module to our instore primary school tours, both of which champion British food, farming and education. As we are the largest customer of UK farming this really aligns to our values. We are excited to see what else the partnership will bring.”

Sam Stott, Senior Customer Planning Manager, Morrisons

"This was our first British Food Fortnight as a sponsor of Love British Food, and we were delighted with the outcome. It was the perfect platform for us to drive awareness of our commitment to British produce and highlight our growing range of top quality British fruit and veg. As well as providing some fantastic content for our PR and social campaigns, it was also a great catalyst for our sales teams to open conversations with customers about the value of having more British produce on the menu." 

James Armitage, Marketing Director, Fresh Direct (UK)

“Brakes combined celebrating British Food Fortnight with hosting a foodie exhibition in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, the perfect venue for the celebration. The event included a round table Love British Food discussion, food demos and a presentation from Wild Farmed with some fabulous breads from The Bread factory. Other fantastic British suppliers included Whitby Seafoods, Callestick Farm ice cream, Fresh Direct produce, Yeo Valley and many more. The event was attended by more visitors than ever before.”

Cathy Amos, Head of Customer Marketing, Brakes

“I’ve been inspired to see how many people have thrown themselves into celebrating British Food Fortnight this year in schools, colleges and universities across the country. I’m so proud to lead the Love British Food Education working group. It never ceases to amaze me with the creativity and passion shared from an amazing set of leaders from education catering.”

Derek Wright, Catering Services Manager, Blackpool Council

"We are proud to be a part of British Food Fortnight and enjoyed celebrating the British products that are currently on our menu. We held a variety of celebrations, including tea parties and food tasting, which were enjoyed by patients and colleagues alike."

Jane Wills, Facilities Manager at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

 “OCS has taken part in British food fortnight for many years but 2024 is our first year as proud partners of Love British Food.

The OCS team in all our Catering divisions have totally got on board with creative ideas like the Great Pie Challenge and British food featured every day on our menus. As part of the Love British Food Education working group, it was a pleasure to collaborate with the other members of Love British Food and gain ideas and inspiration on how to celebrate British Food Fortnight. British Food Fortnight 2024 has been truly amazing. My fantastic chefs and their teams along with myself have had such fun delivering everything from a giant Eton mess to food workshops and British food open evenings and celebrating everything on our menus from farmers’ fields to the sea. Cannot wait for British Food Fortnight 2025!!”

Rob Cass, Operations Manager, OCS Group