Government shares vision for a healthier, greener food system in newly published ‘Good Food Cycle’

A new Good Food Cycle framework was announced this Tuesday (15 July) by Food and Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner at an event in Bradford where Sustain was also in attendance. 

The ‘Towards a Good Food Cycle’ publication outlined ten priority outcomes needed to build a thriving food sector whilst tackling challenges such as obesity and climate change. Healthier eating, stronger food security and greener supply chains are amongst the desired outcomes outlined in the publication, billed by Defra as a ‘pivotal milestone in the government’s work to develop a comprehensive food strategy’.     

Sustain welcomes this key step in the development of a UK Government food strategy but insists these ambitions can only be met if embedded by law and regulation. At the launch event, Glen Tarman, Policy and Advocacy Director at Sustain sought direct confirmation by the minister that the government is open to new law and regulation to embed it in for good.  

In response, Daniel Zeichner said: “We are determined to make this happen. There's much we can do in the meantime, but if it needs legislation, so be it, there will be.” 

Following the event, Glen Tarman, Director of Policy and Advocacy for Sustain, said: 

“We welcome the Government setting out its Good Food Cycle vision for a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient food system and its 10 priority outcomes. This is a milestone moment after encouraging progress in a first year in power upon which to build with better policy and delivery on food and farming in this Parliament and beyond.

Sustain wants a national, regional and local, cross-thematic Food Strategy that will meet the Government's stated aims and make the UK food system fit for all. We are encouraged that the government has committed to work with citizens and civil society to bring that about, and that they have reaffirmed today, in response to Sustain, that if new law and regulation is needed, they will make it happen.”