Food Strategy White Paper 'timely and welcome'
According to the report from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the strategy sets out what the Government will do to create a more “prosperous agri-food sector”.
With particular focus on delivering healthier, sustainable, and affordable diets for all, the strategy stated the food and drink industry played “an important role” in the levelling up agenda
UKH CEO Kate Nicholls said: “With pressures on food supply chains mounting due to war in Ukraine, the publication of the Government’s Food Strategy White Paper today is both timely and welcome.
Streamlining targets
“It rightly recognises the importance of the entire food chain to UK communities and economy.
“As a sector we already provide healthy options and a wide range of choice for our customers and will be engaging with the Government on proposed streamlining of targets and that information to consumers reflects current operational practice in the sector.
“Hospitality businesses serves food in many diverse and innovative ways, and any new targets or requirements need to reflect this.”
The white paper, which comes as food prices continue to soar amid a cost-of-living crisis for both operators and consumers, follows an independent review, conducted by Leon restaurant co-founder and DEFRA non-executive director Henry Dimbleby, into the UK’s food system.
Mutual goals
Furthermore, the strategy stated the Government was consulting on improved food waste reporting for large food businesses
Nicholls added: “It is particularly heartening to see the importance of sustainability highlighted in the report, as this is a key focus for the industry and aligns with UKH’s wider sustainability drive.
“We will be responding in due course to the consultation on mandatory food waste reporting for larger businesses to ensure the regime is workable for hospitality operators [as well as] responding to the consultation on public sector food and catering policy, which is of particular importance to food service businesses.
“We look forward to working alongside the Government and stakeholders via the Food and Drink Sector Council to achieve the mutual goals set out in the strategy.”
