IFE 2026 Show Theme - Feeding the Future

IFE 2026’s show theme, Feeding the Future, captured the opportunities shaping the food and drink sector, from affordability, health and sustainability to ingredient innovation, manufacturing resilience and the power of technology.

A unifying thread across the show, it sparked product discovery, ignited thought leadership and fuelled industry debate, bringing together brand owners, manufacturers, suppliers and buyers from across the supply chain.

The theme came to life on IFE’s Future Food Stage, sponsored by Brambles Digital, where expert-led sessions explored how consumer behaviour, retail, nutrition, sustainability and technology were driving a smarter, more resilient food system.

The future of this industry will be defined by the ideas we champion and the people we choose to back. When we make space for more women, more under-represented founders, and more diverse perspectives at the table, we don’t just create better products. We build a healthier, more connected culture around them. Consumers are calling for sustainability that’s real, not just written on the label. They want purpose they can taste. They’re more curious, more values-driven, and more open to trying brands that reflect a story they can believe in.

Rebecca Oliver-Mooney

Founder | Raising the Glass

Feeding the Future is about ensuring we're able to deliver food that works for modern life while supporting healthy-living goals and strengthening the UK’s long term food security and resilience. Frozen food will play a vital role in all of these areas, offering consistently high quality, nutritious products that support busy households, foodservice and public sector catering - including schools - at an affordable cost. With its flexibility, reduced waste and year round availability, frozen is central to building a resilient food system that can adapt to changing needs while continuing to feed the nation well.

Rupert Ashby

CEO | British Frozen Food Federation

City Harvest rescues food to reduce waste and nourish people facing food insecurity, delivering food for over 1.2 million meals a month. 'Feed a child, feed the future' is one of our campaign slogans as food is key to a child’s health. Without proper nutrition, children can face severe, irreversible changes in development: weak immune systems, stunted growth, and a higher risk of heart disease. Hunger affects mental health, concentration at school and chances later in life. 40% of London children are food insecure and we are driven to help the future thrive not just survive.

Fiona Hollis

Head of Communications | City Harvest

'Feeding the Future' shines a light on the profound shifts and priorities reshaping our food and drink system. From changing consumer expectations for healthy diets, to more resilient, sustainable supply chains to the need to understand and adopt digital technologies and AI, the industry is entering a period where collaboration and bold thinking are essential. IFE provides an important platform for us to come together, share insight and champion the ideas that will drive growth across the sector. I’m hugely looking forward to discussing the future of food at next year’s event.

Andy Richardson

Member | Food & Drink Export Council

Explore Feeding the Future at IFE

Spotlighting the bold ideas shaping the future of food and drink, our seminar programme brings together forward-thinking brands, experts and changemakers to spark conversation and inspire action. Explore sessions on emerging trends, innovation, sustainability and representation, exploring how we can feed the future in a more resilient, responsible and inclusive way.

View Programme

Discover taste-bud-tingling products from around the globe and all corners of the sector, with 1,500 food and drink suppliers across 13 event sections, from Chilled & Frozen, to StartUps and Fresh Produce. Uncover over 10,000 inspiring products to source, and follow expert-curated Product Trail tours, bringing you what’s new and next on the shelves.

View Exhibitor List

At IFE 2026, networking goes far beyond a handshake. From meet-ups in the IFE Networking Hub to dedicated sessions across four stages, plus special events including the Women’s Breakfast - there are countless opportunities to connect with industry peers. Pull up a seat at the IFE Networking Bar to spark conversations, share ideas and raise a glass to new connections. Share ideas. Spark collaborations. Shape the Future.

Find Out More

New for 2026, the Food, Drink & Hospitality Week event app connected exhibitors, speakers and attendees in real time. Visitors planned their visit, booked meetings and personalised their agenda. It was their digital link to the people and ideas shaping the future of food & drink.

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Working with our 2026 show ambassadors embodied Feeding the Future, bringing together our friends from across the food & drink world who helped us evolve and enhance the show each year to ensure we inspired and exceeded the needs and expectations of our buyers. Their insights, stories and support helped shape the show, spotlight key issues and ensured the event truly reflected the needs of the sector.

Meet our Ambassadors

In our brand-new IFE 2026 video series “5 Questions in 5 Minutes”, we sat down with some of our brilliant exhibitors to learn more about their brands, their stories, what they were bringing to the show and how they were Feeding the Future. In just five minutes, viewers got a fast, fun glimpse into the people and ideas shaping that year’s event and the future.

Watch the Series