Bridging the Gap launch international policy review report

The Bridging the Gap programme is demonstrating how nature-friendly fruit and vegetables can be made affordable for everyone. By trialling interventions through 10 pilots across the four nations of the UK, Bridging the Gap will make the case for policy change.

The policy review report, launched today, explores examples of programmes and policies in the UK and internationally that have gone at least part of the way to “bridging the gap” between people on low incomes and climate and nature-friendly fruit and veg. These case studies offer inspiration for the range of measures that might be taken across the four nations to enhance the health of people and our planet.

The report alighted on a range of approaches, which have worked in other contexts, to help unlock some of the barriers to "bridging the gap". These include:

• Adopting a horticulture strategy that includes specific support for organic growing.
• Supporting cooperative forms of farming, or collaboration through farm clusters, to reinforce small organic producers and enable stronger routes to market.
• Introducing a minimum wage specific to agriculture workers.
• Setting targets for organic food in public sector procurement, reinforced by supportive funding and legislation.
• Supporting inherently local retail including mobile vending and farmers markets, as well as a wider growth plan to engage larger retailers in increasing access to organic food for lower income groups.
• Recognising the public health benefits of cash transfer schemes (such as vouchers), with increased value for organic and sustainable produce.
• Investing in food hubs thereby supporting the supply of organic produce from smaller producers, via the introduction of infrastructure grants.

Bridging the Gap will continue to develop this body of international examples alongside the various pilots to support the case for policy change that will enable everyone to access food that is good for their health and for the planet.

Read the Bridging the Gap Policy Review