Food: a recipe for a healthy, sustainable and successful future

4. Greater prominence of the food sector in UK economic
strategy
The food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. But it was not included
in Building Britain’s Future: New Industry, New Jobs, the Government’s strategic plan for Britain's
economic and industrial future 14 . It is likely that opportunities are being lost, particularly through
skills shortages and lack of innovation. The industry has much to offer as an employer and as a
contributor to the green economy and this needs to be better communicated.
There needs to be increased coordination on skills and skill development in the food chain.
This includes skills in agriculture (pre farm gate) and in the food industry, retail and catering
(post farm gate). There is some work underway to address pre farm gate issues, however the
whole supply chain should be brought together to develop a cohesive strategy and action plan.
Action must be taken at all levels (from CEOs to manual workers) and include the different types
of skills required to incorporate health and sustainability into training, particularly at the catering
level. This should include ways to promote the food sector to school children, graduates and
those changing career. Training should cover environmental, economic and social sustainability
(for example waste, power use and sourcing) and information on the ‘eatwell’ plate 15
(which shows the types and proportions of foods needed for a healthy and well balanced diet).
4.2 Government should also give greater recognition to the food sector and its
contribution to the economy and employment
The food industry, like food itself, is too often taken for granted. The Government should do more
to celebrate the sector’s successes and help to promote what is best about our food here and
abroad, as other countries do with their products.
Regional food organisations have the skills and expertise to help in the preparation of economic
development plans that recognise the food sector’s potential. There are successful models of
third sector organisations helping to support supplier and supply chain development, and build
consumer demand for new products and services. This role should be clarified, strengthened
and supported.
Through the dialogue begun in the Food 2030 process, the Government should work with the
whole food sector to develop an action plan that codifies how the chain will respond to the
challenges and emerge more productive, and better able to compete here and abroad.
14 www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51023.pdf
15 www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eatwellplate/
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