The relationship between NHS and farming
Jenny Jeffries • February 18, 2025
Our Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted in an interview last week by saying voters must choose between a 'tax break' for farmers or tackle the NHS backlogs. How about our government invests in farming and start to revolutionise the food system to produce highly nutritious food in more accessible places and affordable avenues to ultimately reduce the consumption of ultra processed foods and to deduct revenue and profit from the large corporations who are contributing to the current obesity and mental health crisis? Surely the corporate fat cats are morally and directly responsible for the heavy burden upon our NHS?
Jenny Jefferies explores further the widening gap between farmer and consumer for Love British Food…
We are all in it together
We are living in the middle of a modern epidemic of mass misinformation where an awful lot of people are making an awful lot of noise to the detriment of our food producers, especially our farmers. The challenges currently facing farmers both here in the UK and around the world are not exclusive to just paying ‘a bit more tax’; but also climate change, conflict, delicate local, national, and international economies, politics and policies, rise in cost of living, rise in cost of fuel and fertiliser, shortage of labour, post Brexit, post pandemic… we are all in it together.
Farmers in the UK are under so much pressure.
Farmers in the UK are under so much pressure to not only produce highly nutritious food for us all to eat, but also to look after our immediate environments, to educate the public, to inform consumers, to ‘tell their story’, to inspire the next generation, whilst at the same time making the farming business viable, profitable and sustainable.
There’s absolute no sufficient financial support from the ever changing government administrations; initiating the now infamous and devastating inheritance tax, and withdrawing the BPS (Basic Payment System), to mention but a few, and in parallel getting increasingly taken advantage of by large corporations and supermarkets, by not giving farmers a fair price for their produce, and along with depleting agricultural resources and a consistent lack of support for the mitigating risks of TB and bird flu.
The average age of a farmer here in the uk is 58 (Farming UK). Three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide every week, according to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). And the tragedy that dare not speak its name; people who trespass on land that doesn’t belong to them, and in the middle of dark night to hare course and breed dogs purely for their speed and aggression to the detriment of crops and livestock, and of course, the hares themselves.
This increasingly heavy load upon the shoulders of our food producers is actually unfathomable, outrageous and very dangerous.
Are we not asking too much from our farmers?
Is this not seriously time to take a step back and consider the detrimental effect that is happening to people who are simply growing our food? There is, however, nothing simple about it. Food is far from simple. Food is complicated. Power, influence, money, people; they all play a significant part. But it is the people that really matter; perhaps especially those whom are on the front line in this war against corporate greed, conscious selfishness and political ignorance.
Farmers are a very rare breed. But that doesn’t justify the colossal burden of simply expecting farmers to have all the answers. But they so often do.
The future is in our hands
There is a profound and powerful movement from the ground up where British farmers are now making positive and powerful decisions to farm regeneratively, in amongst other farming initiatives such as agroecology, permaculture, urban, organic and vertical farming.
When other people have persistently let our food producers down; farmers are beginning to fight back. This, perhaps, is just the beginning.
Follow @jennyljefferies
Share:
You may also be interested in...
Love British Food and No Farmers, No Food are delighted to announce a partnership dedicated to promoting British farmers. Together, they will champion initiatives to ensure British food is the primary choice in public institutions and push for fair supermarket pricing that reflects the true value of our farmers' hard work.
Love British Food, the leading organisation promoting British food at grassroots and industry levels, is delighted to announce the appointment of Cathy Amos as Non-Executive Director. Cathy, who currently holds the position of Head of Customer Marketing at Brakes, is celebrated for her extensive experience in the food service sector, particularly within the public sector which is integral to Love British Food's mission. Cathy Amos has devoted her career to the food and hospitality industry, with a focus over the last decade on supporting caterers in public and care settings. At Brakes, she leads a team of development chefs who specialise in these sectors. She has also collaborated closely with leading contract caterers and various public sector bodies, including PSC, LACA, TUCO, NACC, and the HCA. She joins other non-executive directors: Derek Wright (Blackpool Catering), Tim Radcliffe (NHS England) and Ben Bartlett (Master Chefs GB).
Our family business, the British Hamper Company, was founded in 2014 by our eldest son James, together with my husband and me.
Soil Associations’ Food for Life and Love British Food join forces to amplify the need for British food to be accessible for all Two leading food campaigning organisations have joined forces to champion the importance of buying British in public sector settings. Soil Association’s Food for Life and Love British Food will support each other’s mission for good food for all in the public sector, hospitality and beyond. [EB1] With a deep synergy between both organisations', together they will advocate for shorter, more sustainable supply chains to make British food a central part of schools, hospitals and other settings. “We are delighted that Food for Life’s sustainable catering team has approached Love British Food proposing that we collaborate to further both our organisation’s activities. I am excited in particular that Food for Life schools will now be invited to take part in British Food Fortnight, joining the hundreds of schools that already run special menus for children during the national food celebrations.” Alexia Robinson, CEO, Love British Food It’s a great time to join forces with Love British Food to amplify the work that both charities are doing to put more fresh, minimally processed, British food on the plates of the nation. We look forward to collaborating with each other to strengthen our combined calls for change across the food industry and support caterers and suppliers to access our homegrown produce. Amit Dattani, Director of Healthy and Sustainable Diets, Soil Association Notes to editors: Food for Life – Founded in 2003 has been running for over 20 years to make good food accessible for all. A Soil Association programme working directly with caterers, schools, and communities to implement sustainable and lasting change within the broken food system. Food for Life Served Here is the sustainable catering certification run by the Soil Association. It currently has certified caterers in over 6500 schools across the UK. Food for Life Schools Award empowers schools to build solutions that reach beyond the school canteen through the pioneering whole school approach. Focusing on system wide change and supporting people and communities to understand how to advocate for improved access to, and education around, good food. Currently operating in over 600 schools in England. The Soil Association is a leading sustainable food and farming charity. Since 1946 the organisation has impacted millions of people, creating practical, nature-based solutions to recover climate, nature and health through sustainable and regenerative food, farming and forestry. Promoting the connection between people, food, and the natural world, lobbying government on key environmental policies, helping to serve millions of certified school meals and engaging thousands in farmer-led research. Love British Food Love British Food was founded by Alexia Robinson in 2002. It is the leading voice promoting British food in communities around the country, working at grassroot and industry level. Its work focuses on creating a vibrant domestic market for British food that gives farmers and producers the confidence to invest and ensure our food security, enabling sustainable supply chains that make good food available for all. It is the organiser of British Food Fortnight, the national food celebration that reaches millions every autumn. 1,000s of shops, pubs, restaurants and communities, large and small, take part. Love British Food’s activities aim to make quality British food available to all sectors of society. It is a uniquely trusted voice in the public sector, where Love British Food has become an established promotion in schools, universities, hospitals, care homes. As part of this, it is the longest serving representative of the British food industry on the Public Sector Catering Alliance; working to ensure British food is the first supplier of choice. It runs a national programme of farm visits for caterers, giving them a new appreciation of the value of British food to the supply chain. To date it has hosted 193 NHS caterers on 9 farm visits. And it facilitates working groups of public sector chefs providing the industry with a knowledge exchange platform. It has a long association with the education sector having published the first guide to teaching food and cookery within the national curriculum: ‘Putting the Ooo back into Food’, endorsed by the Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills. Distributed to 35,000 schools, this established British Food Fortnight as a core event on the school calendar. Hundreds of teachers and school catering teams have taken part in the event over the years. Love British Food has a very active social media presence and a Love British Food farm to fork podcast. It launches a new series for chefs in 20245: Get Seasonal with Love British Food, aiming to help chefs buy British more easily through the wholesale sector. Further information: E: alexiarobinson@lovebritishfood.co.uk W: www.lovebritishfood.co.uk
Love British Food is delighted to announce Trimsaran Primary School as the winner of Love British Food's 'Community Competition', a highlight of this year’s British Food Fortnight. Recognised for their outstanding contribution to making good, healthy food accessible, the school was celebrated for its innovative food hub made from repurposed shipping containers. This transformative project, driven by the school’s staff and its 180 pupils, has turned underutilised shipping containers into a bustling community food shop. The hub offers a range of healthy food options at reduced prices, vital in an area where public transport is sparse and access to affordable nutritious food is limited. The school’s initiative promotes environmental sustainability by featuring homegrown produce cultivated in raised beds and a large polytunnel maintained by pupils under the guidance of a retired local gardener. The produce - including tomatoes, leeks, cucumbers, cabbages, and potatoes - is sold directly from container to community, eliminating food miles and providing the freshest ingredients to local consumers. Community Champions from Morrisons stores across the country reached out to their local communities to find the nominees for the 'Community Competition' and the winning school receive £1,000 of products from Morrisons that can be spent over the year. David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons and one of the competition judges, praised the project for its "intergenerational learning and the impressive repurposing of shipping containers." He highlighted how "this initiative brings the rural community together, turning the school into a linchpin of local life." Liz Earle MBE, a wellbeing broadcaster, entrepreneur, and Love British Food Ambassador, also commended the project: "It resonated with me as being distinctly innovative—using shipping containers to bring fresh, local, and well-priced food into the heart of the community. The involvement of all ages in both education and contribution creates a vibrant model for community health and cohesion." The food hub not only serves as a critical resource for affordable food but also as a social venue where the community can gather and support the school. Plans are underway to establish this initiative as a registered charity, ensuring its sustainability and potential for growth.
British Food Fortnight 2024 has 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.
As part of the annual British Food Fortnight , Love British Food has issued an open letter to key wholesale industry leaders, calling on them to support the growing demand for British produce by integrating dedicated "Buy British" categories within their offerings. The letter, signed by prominent chefs and industry leaders, highlights the vital role wholesalers play in strengthening the British food supply chain. British Food Fortnight , running from 20th September to 6th October, celebrates the quality of British cuisine. It provides an opportunity for businesses across the UK to spotlight locally sourced produce and support British farmers and producers. The letter has been sent to all major wholesale industry leaders. If anyone would like to sign the letter, please email info@lovebritishfood.co.uk . Letter in full: Let's Love British Food - An Invitation to Wholesale Industry Leaders Dear Wholesale Industry Leaders, As the country embraces and enjoys British Food Fortnight, it is an important moment to reach out to a vital part of the British food supply chain - wholesalers. This two-week celebration isn’t just about appreciating British cuisine; it's about making substantial, sustainable changes that benefit our farmers, our economy, and the health of our nation. Currently, thousands of caterers across the UK are curating tailored menus that highlight the quality and diversity of British produce, a testament to the country's culinary heritage. We’ve seen that the enthusiasm for British food is vast and growing. This surge is supported by a wide array of hospitality and public sector organisations, all keen to showcase what Britain has to offer. Earlier this year, during our public sector event, we gathered and collated insights through a comprehensive report that came to conclusions from leading chefs and industry stalwarts. Our discussion revealed a clear challenge: the desire to source more British produce is strong right across the UK, yet there is a blockage. Both farmers and producers are eager to supply, and kitchens are ready to serve - however supply chain logistics complicate this enormously. While some industry leaders have commendably established a dedicated British category, making it easier for businesses to source local produce, it is imperative that more follow suit. By integrating a 'Buy British' category within your offerings, you not only simplify the procurement process for caterers and chefs but also align with a growing consumer demand for transparency and local sourcing. It is the very definition of a ‘win-win’ for all involved, not to forget the positive message you are sending from your company that you are dedicated to supporting British producers. The benefits of enhancing the visibility and accessibility of British products through your platforms: Economic Growth: Boosting the sales of British foods supports not only local farmers but also the wider UK economy. Environmental Impact: Shorter supply chains mean reduced carbon footprints, an aim we all share. Health Benefits: Fresh, locally sourced produce is key to promoting healthier food choices among consumers. Cultural Heritage: Preserving and promoting British culinary traditions. Company Profitability: The British public want to buy British - give them the option and feel the financial rewards. This British Food Fortnight, we invite you to consider featuring, or boosting, a British category. We, along with prominent figures in the industry, are ready to support and collaborate with wholesalers willing to make this commitment. Through joint efforts, we can further deliver positive change across the entire food industry. Let's lead this change together. Kind Regards, Graeme Collie, Executive Chef, King’s College London Alexia Robinson, CEO, Love British Food Chris Knott, Head Development Chef, Loughborough University Graham Senior, Executive Chef, Southampton University Alex Sim, Development Chef and Sustainability Champion, Bristol University Ben Bartlett, Board Member, Master Chefs Great Britain & Director, Love British Food Karlene Gaskell, Executive Chef, University of Reading Dunk Parsonage, Business Development Chef, Flora Food Group & Isle of Wight Technical College Michael Croy, Executive Chef, University of St. Andrews Liam MacDonough, Head of Catering Operations, University of Edinburgh
Proposals that can be done now by Ministers within existing budgets: Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Establish cross-departmental cooperation on food policy to ensure cohesive approaches that connect food production with public health, education, and environmental sustainability. Prioritise Community Engagement Over Lobbying: Work closely with organisations, businesses, and community leaders who are actively delivering change on the ground, rather than focusing on lobbying groups. Move Beyond Targets: Instead of simply aiming for a target of 50% British food in the public sector, focus on a scheme that inspires and enables catering teams, food service organisations, and wholesalers to connect food procurement with nutritional outcomes. ‘Buy British’ Initiative: Encourage all food service organisations and wholesalers to feature a ‘Buy British’ category, similar to the supermarkets' ‘Buy British button,’ to promote and prioritise British produce. Suggestions that will need reallocation of existing budgets: Food Education for All: Ensure that every primary school pupil knows where their food comes from, how to prepare it and that every secondary school pupil understands basic nutrition and the critical role of food in mental and physical health. Clearer Food Labelling: Implement clearer labelling to highlight food provenance and the link between how food is produced and its nutritional value. Consider reallocating funds from existing programs, such as Red Tractor, to support this initiative. Channel Government investment into promoting the benefits of eating seasonal, quality, local British food to the domestic consumer. Currently the majority of investment is geared to promoting British food to the export market. Possible ambitious new proposals that will need policy amendments and budgets increasing: Free and Healthy School Meals: Provide free, healthy school meals for all children. At the very least, extend free school meals to all children on Universal Credit, and ring-fence the food allowance to ensure it is spent on high-quality, nutritious food. Investment in British Agriculture: Substantially invest in growing more fruits, vegetables, beans, and pulses. Encourage public institutions to incorporate these foods as part of a balanced menu, alongside less but better-quality meat. Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food, commented: “British Food Fortnight is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of our national food strategy and what it can achieve. With the Labour Party Conference taking place during the biggest celebration of British food, we urge the new government to focus on community, education, and accessibility.” “We believe that by moving beyond simple targets and offering practical support to those working in the public sector, we can make real changes that benefit everyone – from school children learning about food to local farmers supplying nutritious British produce.” Why Now? British Food Fortnight, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of British food and farming, is the ideal backdrop for this call to action. It highlights the value of local food production and the need for a food strategy that promotes sustainability, education, and public health. Love British Food is ready to work with the new government to turn these wishes into actions that will benefit communities across the country. We invite policymakers, businesses, and the public to join us in this mission.
