Our food system is not in a great place. Pick any entry point and there are problems: unfair pricing for farmers and growers; an excess of highly processed food in our schools, high streets and supermarket shelves; ‘just in time’ supply chains that are increasingly vulnerable to energy, transport or climate shocks; and above all, a system that fails to invest anywhere near enough in nature- and climate-smart forms of food production. Put simply, our food system is currently more of a problem creator than a problem solver, and that has to change. 

In late 2024, when the dust of the General Election had just about settled, the Westminster government announced plans for a new food strategy for England. The aspirations were high: this strategy would make healthy food more accessible, support improved national food security, drive economic growth and help farming deliver much more for nature and climate.

Fast forward 12 months, and not much has happened. The government has appointed a National Food Strategy Advisory Board - not without some controversy over its membership, arguably skewed towards a powerful food industry that doesn't really want much change. Aside from a brief mention of a new Horticulture Growth Strategy by new Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister, Angela Eagle, progress has been paltry.

To inject some much needed energy into the process, over 160 organisations - all committed to healthier, fairer and environmentally positive food and farming - have come together with a comprehensive set of asks for government. This ‘Food Strategy Alliances’ group includes Sustain, Obesity Health Alliance, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Eating Better and the Plant-based Food Alliance. The NFFN is a proud member of three of the five groups.

Spanning 17 interconnected policy asks, the Alliances call for a joined up approach to healthy food and sustainable farming, backed by legislation where needed. They advocate supporting farmers to transition to more nature-friendly forms of production and to gain better access to fair market opportunities, including through unlocking the potential of public procurement - in schools, council offices and hospitals.

We’re yet to hear how the Westminster government will respond to these asks, but the NFFN will be working hard to make the case.

You can find more information on the aks here.