The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) has detailed how Food Nation 2040 is a proposed set of prioritised actions to turn existing ambition for the food system into a “practical framework for delivery and implementation”.
IGD stated that the plan will set out how industry, Government and wider stakeholders can work together towards creating “meaningful change” towards a food system that is healthier, more affordable, more resilient, more sustainable and investable for the long term.
The body described the plan as building on the foundations established by Government’s Good Food Cycle, and said it is the next stage in a journey that began with the independent National Food Strategy led by Henry Dimbleby. It said it also continued through the Food Strategy Advisory Board’s listening workshops, supported by IGD and the publication of the Government’s Good Food Cycle.
IGD said that through the National Food Strategy, the Food Strategy Advisory Board and the work of organisations across industry, Government, academia and civil society, a “much stronger” understanding had been developed of the opportunities and challenges facing the food system. IGD said it knows what many of the issues are, and it has built a “strong evidence base” on the connections between food, health, affordability, resilience, climate, land use, skills and economic growth.
Following on from this, Food Nation 2040 has been established to look at how “shared ambition” can become a focused framework for action, investment and delivery.
The framework was said to be organised around four interconnected missions from the Good Food Cycle:
- Healthier and more affordable food
- Resilient and sustainable supply
- Good growth
- Thriving food communities
IGD will act as a convenor for Food Nation 2040, working with industry partners across the food system and with Government. The work will involve businesses from across farming, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and foodservice and hospitality, alongside policymakers, investors, trade associations, academics, civil society organisations, local and regional partners and community voices.
The body said that a first proposal for Food Nation 2040 has been informed by ongoing discussion with senior leaders within the food and drink industry, Defra and FSAB, and will be made public in Autumn as a framework for discussion and engagement. It will aim to identify areas where work is already underway, set some clear priorities that can be “actioned at pace” and look to build a prioritised, actionable and transparent plan that can support coordinated progress towards 2040.
