Better Food Traders was proud to attend the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool to launch our new policy paper ‘Purpose Over Profit: How Alternative Food Retail Can Make the Food Strategy a Success’.
Written in partnership with campaigning food charity Foodrise, the paper comprehensively sets out how an independent, sustainable food retail sector can support the government’s ambitions on public health, communities, place-making and the environment.
‘Purpose Over Profit’ is paired with a sister paper, ‘Profit Over Purpose’, written by Foodrise, which focuses on why the current, supermarket-dominated food system will fail the Government’s Food Strategy plans.
The report and panel discussion were picked up by a number of media outlets, including The Grocer, Natural News Desk, The Big Issue, Vegconomist, and HortiDaily. Their coverage highlighted the growing recognition that supermarket dominance is blocking the success of the UK’s Food Strategy, and the urgent need for a thriving alternative food retail sector.
With the government’s food strategy still taking shape, these sister reports have come at a pivotal moment, and it was an important opportunity for BFT to use its voice at the party conference fringe.
Julia Kirby-Smith, BFT’s Executive Director, launched the report and contributed to the discussion panel as part of the fringe. Her main message? Investing in the food and farming businesses that underpin our local economies is key to kick-starting the renewal of Britain’s communities, and creating a healthy, sustainable food system.
Common Themes
The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission also held a panel at the conference fringe, focusing on Growing the Real Economy. Sue Pritchard chaired the discussion on how rebuilding the real economy and harnessing the devolution agenda can generate tangible benefits for communities.
It was great to see three Better Food Traders represented on the panel: Unicorn Grocery in Manchester, Bowhouse/Balcaskie Estate in Fife, and Hodmedod, the bean and pulse trader, all discussing how they’re playing a key role. It is material, place-based enterprises like these that shape people’s lives, and food and farming businesses in particular can contribute to the public health and sustainability agenda.
