Global events and extreme weather are putting pressure on the UK's food security and reslience. The UK imports 40% of its food and 78% of its fruit and vegetables, much of it from Southern Europe and North Africa, which are particularly exposed to climate shocks. These long supply chains, as well as a lack of regional processing infrastructure, and high levels of social inequality are leaving our food supply dangerously vulnerable.

UK farmers also face unfair treatment from big supermarkets, from cancelled orders and late payments to prices being forced down to unprofitable levels. This is hurting their businesses and their profitability, pushing them toward more environmentally damaging, intensive farming just to survive. 

To transform our food system, we need to enforce fairness across the supply chain, with stronger regulation of mainstream food wholesale, manufacturing and supermarkets. We also need to invest in local food systems as they offer a desirable and scalable way to improve resilience. Local food infrastructure like food hubs, processing and packing facilities, as well as distribution centres all help smaller local producers get produce to market and increase their market share.

Catering and procurement offers one of the most effective ways to drive large scale changes by ensuring more of the produce is healthier and meets higher ethical standards, supporting producer livelihoods and protecting the planet. With £5 billion of taxpayers money spent on food in our schools, hospitals, and other public settings, national, regional and local government should lead by example, making sure the food they buy is healthy and sustainable.