This independent report, published on 15 July 2021, looks at the entire food chain, from field to fork. This includes production, marketing, processing, sale and purchase of food (for consumption in the home and out of it). It also looks at the consumer practices, resources and institutions involved in these processes. Part one of this independent report was published in July 2020.
The review was led by Henry Dimbleby supported by an advisory panel and Defra officials. Henry Dimbleby is co-founder of Leon restaurants, the lead non-executive director at Defra and co-author of The School Food Plan.
The strategic objectives of the plan are to:
1. Escape the junk food cycle to protect the NHS.
2. Reduce diet-related inequality.
3. Make the best use of our land.
4. Create a long-term shift in our food culture.
Fourteen recommendations have been put together, which are intended to create the kind of food system the people of this country say they want – and need:
- Recommendation 1. Introduce a sugar and salt reformulation tax. Use some of the revenue to help get fresh fruit and vegetables to low income
families - Recommendation 2. Introduce mandatory reporting for large food companies
- Recommendation 3. Launch a new “Eat and Learn” initiative for schools
- Recommendation 4. Extend eligibility for free school meals
- Recommendation 5. Fund the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years
- Recommendation 6. Expand the Healthy Start scheme
- Recommendation 7. Trial a “Community Eatwell” programme, supporting those on low incomes to improve their diets
- Recommendation 8. Guarantee the budget for agricultural payments until at least 2029 to help farmers transition to more sustainable land use
- Recommendation 9. Create a Rural Land Use Framework based on the Three Compartment Model
- Recommendation 10. Define minimum standards for trade, and a mechanism for protecting them
- Recommendation 11. Invest £1 billion in innovation to create a better food system
- Recommendation 12. Create a National Food System Data programme
- Recommendation 13. Strengthen government procurement rules to ensure that taxpayer money is spent on healthy and sustainable food
- Recommendation 14. Set clear targets and bring in legislation for long-term change.
Next steps
Over the next six months, the Government will develop a Food Strategy White Paper informed by this independent review, the wider stakeholder community and other evidence.
The Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) – a formal industry partnership with government – will publish its own vision for the future of the supply chain in September. This will focus upon key areas where the food chain can make a difference.
