Sainsbury’s has become the latest major retailer to back the Good Food Bill, adding its voice to growing calls for a long-term government strategy to strengthen the resilience of the UK food system.
The retailer joins more than 100 organisations that have already endorsed the proposed legislation, including Marks & Spencer (M&S), The Co-operative Group, Bidfood and Riverford Organic Farmers, alongside charities, investors, farming bodies and health organisations. The bill, launched by The Food Foundation earlier this year, aims to establish a statutory framework that would improve food security, public health and sustainability while helping the UK food system better withstand challenges such as climate change, inflation and geopolitical disruption.
The announcement comes as extreme weather events across Europe have renewed concerns about the resilience of food supply chains. Sainsbury’s said it has already taken steps to strengthen its sourcing model, including committing £5 billion to long-term partnerships with British and Irish suppliers. However, it believes the Good Food Bill would provide clearer national objectives to accelerate investment in resilient farming and better protect producers from climate-related shocks and economic pressures.
Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, said recent weeks had demonstrated the growing pressures facing the UK food system.
“We need a more resilient food system that attracts investment, backs British farmers and helps keep affordable, nutritious food on tables across the nation,” he said. “Food and farming should be at the heart of government policy, helping to build a stronger and more resilient future.”
Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation, welcomed the retailer’s support, arguing that decades without a coherent food policy has left the UK exposed to external shocks.
“What we need now is a Good Food Bill that sets out a long-term statutory framework for building public health and national and household resilience,” she said. “It is great to see Sainsbury’s supporting this call. We urge other businesses to do the same, and for government to take decisive action on food.”
Alongside improving resilience, the bill also seeks to address food insecurity. Sainsbury’s highlighted the issue of holiday hunger, with millions of children losing access to free school meals during the summer break. The retailer and Comic Relief are investing more than £8 million in Holiday Activities and Food programmes, but Sainsbury’s said a coordinated national framework is needed to deliver lasting improvements in access to healthy, affordable food.
The retailer’s backing further strengthens business support for the Good Food Bill, signalling increasing momentum behind calls for a joined-up approach to food policy that balances environmental resilience, farming viability and public health.
Read more about the Sainsbury’s supply chain on Green Retail World
[image credit: Sainsbury’s]
