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History of British Food Fortnight
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British Food Fortnight was conceived in response to the fact that, though there are numerous food initiatives, projects and events taking place across Britain, there was no overall flagship event to bring them to the public's attention. It was held for the first time in Autumn 2002 at the same time as Harvest Festival, the traditional time for celebrating our food.
Since its launch, the event has quickly become the definitive national celebration of our regional foods and drinks, and the health benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce. It has established itself on the national calendar extremely quickly. By focusing effort on a calendar date it gives people involved in the food business something to aim for and helps concentrate their efforts. It is therefore much more than a mere date in the diary. It is proving an important influencer in engaging the retail, catering, education and volunteer sectors and in establishing a more robust market for Britain's food and drink. |
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Read more...
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Achievements across the country |
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- Thousands of events have taken place during the Fortnight from events in schools and parishes, to promotions and special menus in shops, pubs and restaurants.
Examples of activities:
4,800 Nationwide employees have been served British themed lunches in their staff restaurant; Sheffield hospitals have served all British meals to patients; National Trust chefs have competed to design the ultimate children's British food menu; the Youth Hostel Association has launched new local produce meals in its hostels; welly walks have been organised exploring local produce; churches have held special Harvest Festival services; religious leaders have used the Fortnight as an opportunity to gather in London to discuss food as a means of improving inter faith understanding; and there have been numerous tastings, food demonstrations and special menus at shops, pubs and restaurants across the country.
- Over 45 organisations support the event and help promote it. Go to main menu to see list of supporting organisations.
- The Fortnight has been recognised by leaders of different religions: The Fortnight is timed to complement Harvest Festival celebrations which are traditionally led by the Church of England. But importantly in terms of achieving support across the nation, the event has achieved multi-faith recognition. In 2004, religious leaders used the Fortnight as an opportunity to gather in the Houses of Parliament to discuss food as a means of improving inter faith understanding.
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