Kicking off at New Covent Garden Market in London, the fortnight was packed with lively events, promotions, and activities - all aimed at making British food accessible to everyone.
The event saw participation from schools and universities to hospitals and retailers, showcasing the diversity and quality of British food. Thousands of caterers crafted special menus to highlight British ingredients, reinforcing the nation's rich culinary heritage.
This year’s British Food Fortnight saw ‘unprecedented participation’ from public sector institutions, including hundreds of schools, ten universities and numerous hospitals. These institutions joined the celebration by featuring British produce in their meals, further promoting the importance of nutritious, seasonal and locally sourced food.
The event’s impact was bolstered in advance by a series of farm visits for NHS caterers, engaging more than 190 representatives from across 43 hospitals to learn more about sourcing and preparing fresh, British ingredients for their patients.
Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, commented: “This year’s British Food Fortnight was one of the most successful to date. The level of enthusiasm, from community groups to retailers and public institutions, was incredible.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to celebrate British food and ensure it is accessible to all. I want to pay special thanks to Morrisons, and all of our official partners for making the fortnight possible - without their support, it could simply not happen.”
Morrisons, the exclusive retail partner, trialled a number of initiatives including taking customers to visit local farms and a British food module for their in-store tours for primary schools.
British Food Fortnight Community Competition closing date for entries is Friday 25th October and winner will be announced by 8th November. This year the competition has had a huge number of entries from communities all over the UK, all with the same aim to help make fresh, healthy British food available to all.
Reaction to British Food Fortnight:
- Cathy Amos, head of customer marketing at Brakes: “Brakes combined celebrating British Food Fortnight with hosting a foodie exhibition in the Hertfordshire countryside. The event included a round table Love British Food discussion, food demos and a presentation from Wild Farmed. The event was attended by more visitors than ever before.”
- Derek Wright, catering services manager at Blackpool Council: “I’ve been inspired to see how many people have thrown themselves into celebrating British Food Fortnight this year in schools, colleges and universities across the country. I’m so proud to lead the Love British Food Education working group.”
- Jane Wills, facilities manager at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust: "We are proud to be a part of British Food Fortnight and enjoyed celebrating the British products that are currently on our menu. We held a variety of celebrations, including tea parties and food tasting, which were enjoyed by patients and colleagues alike."
- Rob Cass, operations manager at OCS Group: “British Food Fortnight 2024 has been truly amazing. My fantastic chefs and their teams along with myself have had such fun delivering everything from a giant Eton mess to food workshops and British food open evenings and celebrating everything on our menus from farmers’ fields to the sea.”