Food From England brings together exceptional food and drink producers and local organisations under one federation, giving them a united voice. In total it represents over 43,000 local growers, producers, retailers, and hospitality businesses.
Local trade organisation Produced in Kent is throwing its weight behind the demands and pleas for increased backing for local independent food and drink producers, growers, retailers, and hospitality outlets; having seen the current cost of living crisis directly affect their members, some of which have been recently forced to shut their doors for good.
Chief Executive of Produced in Kent, Floortje Hoette explains “Unfortunately, right now many of our members are calculating the cost of being in business and it's not stacking up for them; the cost of ingredients, the lack of skilled staff and the cost of energy are tipping them over the edge. With customers already looking at cutting their expenditure, passing those costs on is just not viable.”
The UK Agri-food sector, consisting of agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and catering, contributed a massive £116.2 Bn (6%) to the national Gross value added (GVA) in 2020 and employed 4.1 Mn people. But its role is much broader than supporting the economy alone.
The crucial role of the UK food and drink sector
Local independent food and drink businesses reconnect the consumer with the land their food comes from and with the people growing, processing, selling, and serving local produce, creating a sense of place and community, and making people proud of the area where they live.
The sector looks after the land and is a driver of innovative, more sustainable practices, while also providing the culinary infrastructure to the country's tourism industry: food and drink are the glue of any tourist experience and greatly influences its success. Without quality offerings, visitors are less likely to visit or dwell or stay over, and will, as a consequence, spend less.
Local, freshly produced food and drink is a healthy alternative to over-processed foods and, when used efficiently, doesn't need to be too expensive. Produced in Kent, along with their members makes a concerted effort in educating the public on how local seasonal food can be a healthy, affordable, and sustainable option.
The crisis facing the UK food and drink sector
But despite its invaluable contribution to the local economy, England's characteristic landscape, the environment, the country's social cohesion and its public health, the local independent food and drink industry is now in peril.
Rising costs of imported ingredients and materials, supply chain issues, continuing staffing shortages and skyrocketing energy and fuel prices have all contributed to a steep increase in production costs. Unable to absorb the additional cost due to tight profit margins, businesses are having to pass this on to customers amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“The Covid lockdown saw both the demise of many artisan producers, and food outlets disappearing overnight. If we don't support the industry now, we will see a repeat of this tragic loss of livelihoods, skills, employment, and community, maybe on an even larger scale”, says spokesperson for Food from England and Director at Made in Northamptonshire, Rachel Mallows MBE DL.
Government action required
Food from England has urged central Government to take action in the following areas:
Extend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to the 30th of June 2023, with trade usually picking up from April onwards, this would give businesses some breathing space.
Provide additional (grant funding) support to high-energy using food businesses to invest in a wide range of greener energy solutions.
Extend the seasonal worker scheme beyond next month, December 2022 across all sectors in the food and drink industry to avoid further (part) closures due to staffing shortages in 2023.
Devise a fairer business rate system that will support smaller businesses over the longer term.
Provide capacity-building support to regional food groups in England.
In addition to lobbying the Government for support, Food from England will also be launching a DON'T LOSE IT, USE IT! consumer campaign, urging customers to buy local and support our independent food and drink businesses this winter.
That's Food and Drink is adding our voice to this appeal. Please contact your MP and your local authorities to let them know of your concerns.
Also, please do use the food businesses that we have featured in That's Food and Drink and our sister site, That's Christmas. Also, please spend whatever you can with local artisanal food and drink businesses within your own area to offer them your practical support.
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