SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE UK FOOD INDUSTRY

Innovation • Collaboration • Growth

UK Food Council - National Programmes

The UK Food Council runs national programmes tackling the food industry's biggest challenges — from skills shortages and food security to public health and affordable nutrition.

We bring together industry leaders, policymakers, educators and communities to deliver joined-up solutions no single organisation could achieve alone.

Why it matters
The UK food system supports 1 in 8 jobs nationwide. Keeping it strong requires collaboration across production, supply chains, retail, hospitality and government.

What we provide

• Strategic leadership across the food system
• Cross-sector collaboration and alignment
• Evidence and insight to guide investment
• Structured engagement with government
• Practical initiatives with measurable impact
  
  

Our Core Objectives

Align - Coordinating leaders across the food system around shared challenges.

Inform - Building data and insight to shape strategy, policy and investment.

Connect - Bridging business, government, academia and communities.

Deliver - Driving tangible outcomes in workforce, health and food access.

Together, these programmes form a unified effort to build a stronger, more resilient and more accessible UK food system.

Backing British Farming

UK Food Council Farming & Production Commission

Farming sits at the heart of the UK food system, underpinning national food security, rural economies and long-term supply chain resilience. Yet the sector faces increasing pressure from workforce shortages, financial strain, regulatory complexity and the personal demands placed on those working within it.

Backing British Farming is a UK Food Council initiative designed to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of UK agriculture. While recognising the importance of personal wellbeing and support networks, the programme takes a broader view — addressing the structural, economic and operational challenges shaping the future of food production.

Through industry engagement, insight development and collaboration with policymakers, the Farming & Production Commission works to ensure that those who produce the nation’s food are supported, valued and equipped to meet future demand.

Our objective is clear: to reinforce farming as a viable, sustainable and strategically critical pillar of the UK food system.

Healthier Britain Through Food

UK Food Council Nutrition & Health Commission

Obesity represents one of the most pressing long-term challenges facing the UK, with significant implications for public health, economic productivity and the sustainability of the wider food system.

Addressing this issue requires a coordinated approach that extends beyond individual responsibility — encompassing food production, product formulation, retail environments, accessibility, education and lifestyle behaviours.

Healthier Britain Through Food is a UK Food Council initiative focused on supporting a balanced, evidence-led response to obesity. The programme brings together industry, policymakers, educators and health stakeholders to explore practical ways to improve outcomes while maintaining consumer choice and commercial viability.

Through the Nutrition & Health Commission, the UK Food Council works to:

• Encourage innovation in healthier product development
• Support improved access to nutritious and affordable food
• Promote greater alignment between public health objectives and industry practice
• Contribute to informed, proportionate policy discussions
• Highlight the role of education and behavioural awareness in long-term change

The objective is not to assign responsibility to any single part of the system, but to foster collaboration across the food ecosystem to enable healthier choices to become more accessible, practical and sustainable for all.

In doing so, the programme supports a long-term ambition: to improve national health outcomes while strengthening a responsible and resilient UK food industry.

Inspiring The Next Generation Through Food

UK Food Council Food Education & Skills Programme

Food education plays a critical role in shaping how individuals understand nutrition, health, sustainability and the wider food system. Yet across the UK, access to consistent, practical and engaging food education remains uneven — limiting both individual outcomes and awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within the food industry.

Inspiring The Next Generation Through Food is a UK Food Council initiative designed to strengthen the connection between people, food and future opportunity. The programme focuses on building knowledge, confidence and practical skills from an early age, while also highlighting the breadth of roles across agriculture, production, retail, hospitality and supply chain operations.

Through the Food Education & Skills Programme, the UK Food Council works to:

• Improve access to practical, real-world food education
• Support greater understanding of nutrition and healthy choices
• Increase awareness of careers across the UK food industry
• Encourage early engagement with skills relevant to the future workforce
• Connect education providers with industry insight and opportunity

By linking education with both health outcomes and career pathways, the programme supports a more informed, capable and engaged population.

The objective is clear: to ensure that food education not only informs better choices, but also inspires participation in one of the UK’s most important and diverse industries.

Feeding Britain: Hunger 2030

UK Food Council Food Security & Access Commission

Ensuring that everyone in the UK has access to sufficient, nutritious and affordable food is one of the defining challenges of the decade. Despite the strength of the UK food industry, food insecurity and unequal access to nutrition remain persistent issues, affecting individuals, families and communities across the country.

Feeding Britain: Hunger 2030 is a UK Food Council initiative focused on addressing food poverty while strengthening the resilience of the wider food system. The programme recognises that food security is not solely a social issue, but a structural challenge requiring coordinated action across production, supply chains, retail, policy and community support.

Through the Food Security & Access Commission, the UK Food Council works to:

• Improve access to affordable, nutritious food across all communities
• Support initiatives that reduce food waste and redistribute surplus supply
• Encourage collaboration between industry, local authorities and community organisations
• Contribute to policy discussions on food affordability, access and resilience
• Strengthen the connection between food security and long-term system sustainability

The programme builds on existing research and national dialogue, while focusing on practical, scalable solutions that can deliver measurable impact.

The objective is clear: to support a UK food system where access to good food is not a barrier to health, wellbeing or opportunity.

Skills For The Future Of Food

UK Food Council Workforce Development Programme

Developing a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce is essential to the long-term success of the UK food industry. As the sector evolves — driven by changes in technology, consumer behaviour, supply chains and sustainability requirements - the need for practical, industry-relevant skills is increasing across all areas of the food system.

Skills For The Future Of Food is a UK Food Council initiative focused on strengthening workforce capability through structured training, apprenticeships and real-world learning opportunities. Delivered in partnership with academic institutions and industry stakeholders, the programme supports individuals at all stages of their careers — from entry-level pathways through to professional development.

Through the Workforce Development Programme, the UK Food Council works to:

• Expand access to modern apprenticeships and vocational training
• Align skills development with real industry needs and emerging trends
• Provide practical, work-based learning experiences across the food system
• Support career progression within agriculture, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and supply chain roles
• Contribute to building a more resilient and adaptable workforce

The programme forms a key part of the UK Food Council’s wider workforce agenda, supporting the development of talent required to sustain and grow the UK food industry.

The objective is clear: to equip individuals with the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving food sector.