British Food Fortnight celebrates 25 years of home-grown food and drink

British Food Fortnight returns from 26 September to 11 October 2026, marking 25 years of celebrating the farmers, producers and businesses behind Britain’s diverse food and drink industry.

Organised by Love British Food, the annual campaign brings together producers, retailers, hospitality businesses, schools, hospitals and communities across the country. This year’s message, “Make British your first choice”, encourages organisations and consumers to support domestic producers, celebrate seasonal ingredients and strengthen British supply chains.

The anniversary arrives at a time when food security, supply chain resilience and the future of British farming are receiving renewed attention. Businesses continue to navigate rising costs, changing consumer priorities and disruption to international supply chains. Choosing British food and drink can help support regional economies, give buyers greater visibility of provenance and create stronger relationships between producers, suppliers and customers.

Celebrating the diversity of British food

British food today extends far beyond traditional products and familiar flavours. Across the country, producers are combining regional ingredients and established skills with international influences, functional nutrition, sustainable farming practices and formats designed for modern consumers.

The breadth of this industry will be on display at IFE 2027, which returns to Excel London on 5-7 April as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week.

Among the British businesses confirmed to exhibit is HG Walter, an independent, family-run butcher established in 1972. The business supplies leading chefs and restaurants with meat sourced predominantly from small farms rearing free-range native breeds, while producing its sausages, burgers, pies and other products in-house.

Neal’s Yard Dairy will showcase Britain’s thriving artisan cheese sector. Founded in London in 1979, the business selects, matures and sells cheeses from around 40 cheesemakers across Britain and Ireland. Its work supports small-scale producers while introducing their cheeses to retail, hospitality and international customers.

Essex-based Wicks Manor provides a clear example of traceable farm-to-fork production. The family-run farm grows and mills crops to feed its pigs before preparing, curing and smoking products including sausages, bacon, burgers and ham in its own farm butchery.

Also joining IFE 2027 is Lancashire Farm Dairies, a family-run British dairy business known for its natural, Greek-style and flavoured yoghurts. Its presence reflects the important contribution made by regional manufacturers and family businesses to the UK food and drink sector.

London-based Paul Rhodes Bakery will represent British craft baking. Founded by former Michelin-starred chef Paul Rhodes, the bakery produces handmade breads, pastries and cakes for hospitality, retail and other professional customers.

Turning support into action

British Food Fortnight provides retailers, wholesalers and hospitality operators with a timely platform to tell stronger sourcing and provenance stories.

Retailers can create seasonal displays, introduce British Food Fortnight promotions, host sampling sessions or invite local producers to meet customers. Hospitality businesses can develop limited-time menus, highlight the origins of key ingredients and explain how their relationships with farmers and suppliers contribute to the quality of each dish.

For producers, the campaign is an opportunity to share the people and processes behind their products. Clear information about where ingredients come from, how products are made and what distinguishes a business from its competitors can help buyers and consumers make more informed choices.

The campaign can also be used to test new ideas. A retailer might trial a regional product, while a restaurant or contract caterer could introduce a seasonal British dish and assess customer demand before making it a permanent addition.

Love British Food provides campaign resources and practical guidance for producers, retailers, caterers, schools and public sector organisations looking to participate.

British Food Fortnight is ultimately about turning support for British food into meaningful action. Whether that means listing a regional supplier, celebrating seasonal produce, improving origin information or putting an emerging British brand in front of new customers, every decision can help build a stronger and more resilient domestic food industry.

IFE takes place on 5-7 April 2027 at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Find out more about IFE 2027.