Bridging the Gap: How to fix the food system for everyone

This report sets out key policy recommendations and the next steps to unlock opportunities for British farmers and growers to supply climate and nature friendly fruit, vegetables (veg) and pulses, that are accessible to everyone.

These recommendations are based on nine pilots that were codesigned and run by partners across the UK. These innovative approaches bridged the gap – between fruit, veg and pulses, grown using organic methods by Small and Medium (SME) farmers, and people on low incomes across the UK – in both retail and school settings.

Through action-based research the programme found that it is possible to overcome barriers and identified how these approaches could be scaled, drawing on additional evidence and expertise.

The findings highlight the benefits of increasing access to climate and nature friendly fruit, veg and pulses, and demonstrate practical short term as well as longer term systemic changes needed to fix the food system.

Using data, observation and modelling we show that adequate investment and utilising the power of public sector contracts can help: meet government goals for sourcing 50% local or sustainable food in public sector food procurement; boost the horticulture sector; ensure people receive nutritious, locally grown fruit, vegetables and pulses in schools and retail settings; and enable localised supply chains that provide this food to flourish.