Councils

How to take part in British Food Fortnight

British Food Fortnight offers councils lots of opportunities to promote healthy eating, reduce procurement costs and support local businesses.


There is a myriad of ways for councils to use the event to boost healthy eating and local food promotion initiatives. 


In schools, the event is a proven catalyst for increasing the uptake of school meals. Kent, Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire Councils have all worked with their school catering providers to run British and local-themed menu promotions in schools during the event. As a result of their efforts, uptake has increased by 8% to 50% as a result. 


In Wales, we have special Love Welsh Food promotional material to help local authorities take part. 5 Welsh Local Authorities use this to promote Welsh food on Welsh school menus.


The Fortnight is also an excellent opportunity to champion local businesses on the high street. Taking part is proven to increase sales by 34% with some local stores reporting increases of hundreds of per cent. Councils can help local businesses tap into this by distributing the event’s ‘How to take part’ packs to local food shops, pubs and restaurants in their area; and directing businesses to the pages on this website that are packed with hints and tips on how retailers and caterers can use local food to boost their businesses, attract new customers and secure media coverage on the back of the national food celebrations.


There are opportunities for hospitals and local government staff restaurants too. Many use the event to experiment with new suppliers and source more sustainably. The Fortnight is proven as a hugely useful calendar date for procurers to focus new activity around.





Greenwich Council: some thoughts on how to take part in British Food Fortnight


Broad Appeal


  • Make the program of events as broad & as inclusive as possible: young & old, ‘foodies’ and those who just ‘eat’.
  • Community Education Celebration: 3 simple words that convey to my mind the ethos of Love British Food (you don’t need to use them in that order!!0


Beginning & an End


  • There is no need to run an event every day of the fortnight, but set the table and allow others to fill in some of the gaps.
  • Some set, static events (we call them foundation events) to appeal to as broad cross section of the community can top and tale the fortnight.
  • First Saturday – A market or an event such as the community apple pressing day. Hold it somewhere central and encourage businesses close by to get involved with offers, promotions.
  • Last Sunday – Harvest Festival, again in a central location, perhaps work with local food banks and churches to encourage the community to contribute. 
  • Other ‘Foundation’ events can take place on other weekend days over the fortnight – markets, beer festival, bread making demonstrations etc
  • Local restaurants, cafes, pubs – encourage them to participate, doesn’t need to be complicated – homemade pies, regional dishes, seasonal fruits – dishes / recipes with a story to tell and a sense of place.


Education


  • Primary Schools – education workshops in the schools (we use a farmers market to deliver these but you may have access to others), Apple Pressing with ‘design a label’ competition, dress a scarecrow and then display them in a central space.
  • Colleges of Further Education – give catering students the opportunity to work in a local hotel / restaurant – The College takeover Lunches.
  • Obvious but there is a need to work with education establishments, they are busy people! Make it as simple for them as possible eg – Scarecrows – build the frame for them so they just purely need to dress it, arrange to deliver frame and collect when completed.


Community


  • Try and involve community groups, museums, churches – everyone has an interest in food. Does the local WI have a jam or cake making club?
  • Tea Dances, Cake Stalls, inner city farm open day?
  • McMillan Coffee Morning falls inside these dates – team up with some to offer local cakes etc.
  • Work with a local food bank.


Celebration


  • Highlight local food heritage – local recipes, products, and producers – those things that give each region a sense of place?
  • Celebration events may include – markets, beer festivals, wine tastings
  • Celebrate the high street – butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.


Sponsorship


  • Council support is important
  • Look for local / regional food producer who may get involved – offer them opportunities for tastings, awareness etc



Communication


  • Possible the most important point! How to get the message out
  • Programme – doesn’t need to be grand
  • Flyers – given to primary schools to send home in reading bags/ homework
  • Council leaflets / publications
  • Radio Stations – I once did a local tasting on the radio, terrible radio material but it doesn’t matter.
  • Lots of material on Love British Food website to download – use the logo and add to all printed material
  • Design your own logo – doesn’t need to be complicated
  • Twitter, Face Book (create an event) etc.


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