Why it’s Important to Support Local Farmers and Fishers

Support remains high for British farmers

The introduction of ‘Best of British’ and ‘Buy British’ in stores and on websites by Morrisons, Sainsburys, Aldi and Ocado follows a campaign by MPs to make it easier for consumers to source British produce from online supermarkets. 

By making it easier to buy British at supermarkets both physical and online, these campaigns have seen a strong show of consumer support for British farmers. Now is the time for hospitality businesses to do the same by showcasing these mutually beneficial sourcing relationships with farmers and fishers.

In the 20 years I have worked in the pub industry, there has always been passionate support for local suppliers, including drinks producers, with publicans and chefs shouting proudly about the local food heroes with whom they partner on menus, websites and boards in the pub.

Sadly, following the immense pressures on the hospitality industry post-Covid and with the cost-of-living crisis impacting consumer spend on eating out, this support has reluctantly fallen away among some hospitality operators, as they have tried to cut costs in a continuously challenging market.

Trends support backing British 

Despite these pressures, it is key that hospitality operators consider or reconsider the quality, provenance and sustainability credentials that sourcing local and British can help deliver for their business.

The increasing demand for sustainable food should be a key consideration around sourcing more produce from local farms and fisheries to help reduce the carbon footprint of your business. Research shows that 47% of consumers proactively choose sustainable food brands.

Quality helps deliver value for money

With premiumisation and value for money remaining key trends in the UK on-trade, offering quality local produce from British farms and fisheries also has a key role to play for hospitality operators in meeting consumers’ needs around value – which doesn’t mean being cheap, but rather delivering something worth its cost through quality, execution and overall experience.

So much has changed in farming and fishing over the last few decades, including the big focus from farmers and fishers on marketing their businesses and practices to the public – which makes telling their stories even simpler for hospitality operators. Pub and restaurant operators should look to champion (if they aren’t already) the wonderful stories of their suppliers on menus, boards and pictures in their establishments, through regular posts on social media, through QR codes on tables with links to articles and/or by hosting events in collaboration with producers. 

Flying the flag for the British food heroes with whom you partner not only helps them, but your business too, by providing your customers the perception of quality and community support.

Retail British produce 

Rural pubs and eateries can also play a role in helping support British farmers and fisheries by retailing produce. Pub is The Hub – an organisation founded by King Charles – helps pubs to diversify their services, including offering village stores. The New Inn at Norton Lindsay, Warwickshire, is among many pubs around the UK that have a village shop to help support local people. In turn, this helps support the many local food and drink producers whose produce they stock.

For hospitality operators without the space or funding for a shop, even having a couple of shelves of local produce for sale can be another effective way of supporting local food and drink producers, highlighting to customers again your attention to provenance.

Hosting a regular ‘Farmers Market’ at your pub/restaurant is another great way of showing support for local producers, and helps your business to be perceived positively in your local community and to drive footfall. Many pubs have made a success of driving hot drink and ‘Farmer’s Breakfast’ sales around these regular events.

British Food Fortnight

Taking part in this year’s British Food Fortnight between 20th September and 6th October 2024 is an ideal opportunity for hospitality operators to highlight the British farmers and fisheries they already feature on their menus, as well as providing a chance to introduce and showcase new British suppliers.

Here are just a few ideas for taking part:

• Hosting a pre-booked ‘Best of British’ or Harvest Supper, showcasing a range of local produce.
• Highlighting stories of your British suppliers, including local farms, on your social media. 
• Organise ‘From Gate To Plate’ dinners featuring a supplier talk, Q&A session and menus showcasing their produce.
• Host a ‘Celebration of XXXX Farm’s Dinner’, with a menu designed to showcase the wonderful ingredients from a local farm.
• Attract fish lovers with a ‘Seafood Showstopper’ night, featuring delicious seasonal, sustainable seafood specials.
• Why not show your support for farmers at your pub/restaurant and give them a free drink or main course during British Food Fortnight?

About Love British Food

Love British Food is a grassroots-driven organisation dedicated to making high quality, nutritious, British-grown and -produced food available to all sectors of society, particularly the most vulnerable. Love British Food Fortnight is a highly anticipated event that encompasses the enormity of food and drink in the UK, hoping to bridge the gap between producer and consumer in an educational, informative and entertaining way through stories, recipes, menus, tastings, activities and celebrations. To stay up to date on British Food Fortnight news, follow @LoveBritishFood. 

Support Farmers & FIshers is one of 10 key focus areas of the Food Made Good Standard, the only global sustainability certification developed especially for the hospitality industry. Wherever your restaurant is in the world, we can help you work towards a more sustainable future. Learn more about the Standard here or get in touch with any questions at standard@thesra.org.