Food governance is about how decisions on food are made, joined up and acted on, and who has power and a voice in those decisions.
In practice, it means how national and local governments, businesses, civil society and communities work together to shape food systems that are fairer, healthier and more sustainable. Good food governance brings together policy areas that are often treated separately – such as food poverty, public health, farming, procurement, climate and economic development – and aligns them behind shared goals.
Where food is well governed, we consistently see better outcomes: reduced food insecurity, healthier food environments, stronger local food economies and more resilient food systems.
Good food governance is important because it answers questions such as: who decides what food is produced and how; who has power in the food system, and who is excluded; how are trade‑offs made between health, affordability, farming livelihoods, climate and nature; and how are people held accountable for food‑related decisions?
At a local level, strong food governance is usually seen where councils and partners take a strategic, cross‑department approach to food, support or participate in food partnerships and food strategies and involve communities and food system workers in decision‑making.
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What we're fighting for today
A Good Food Bill that provides food systems governance fit to deliver the transition to climate- and nature-friendly farming, fishing and healthy and sustainable diets.
More local and regional authorities and areas with devolved powers committed to creating more healthy and sustainable food systems in their local areas.
Expansion of Sustainable Food Places network beyond cities to support counties as well as galvanise action through issue-specific campaigns.
Our campaigns
Good Food Bill campaign brings together over 100 UK supermarkets, food businesses, investors, NGOs and academics calling on government to fix food for good.
Good Food Local provides national tracking of local authorities and partner organisations creating more healthy and sustainable food systems in their local areas.
Food for the Planet campaigns for national and local government policies that support climate and nature-friendly farming and the incentivisation of healthy and sustainable diets.
Sustainable Food Places network supports a joined-up approach to food systems in over 60 parts of the UK.
