Food Nation 2040: Development of a prioritised framework of action, to advance delivery of the outcomes in the Good Food Cycle

What is Food Nation 2040?

Food Nation 2040 is a proposed set of prioritised actions to turn existing ambition for the food system into a practical framework for delivery and implementation. It will set out how industry, government and wider stakeholders can work together towards creating meaningful change towards a food system that is healthier, more affordable, more resilient, more sustainable and investable for the long term.

How does it relate to the Good Food Cycle?

Food Nation 2040 builds on the foundations established by the Good Food Cycle. It is the next stage in a journey that began with the independent National Food Strategy led by Henry Dimbleby, which set out the connections between food, health, poverty, the environment, land use and resilient supply, and demonstrated the need to address them as parts of a single system. It continued through the Food Strategy Advisory Board’s listening workshops, supported by IGD and the publication of the Government’s Good Food Cycle.

Why has it been established?

The UK food system does not lack diagnosis. The foundations for change are already in place. Through the National Food Strategy, the Food Strategy Advisory Board and the work of many organisations across industry, government, academia and civil society, a much stronger understanding has been developed of the opportunities and challenges facing the food system. We know what many of the issues are and have built a strong evidence base on the connections between food, health, affordability, resilience, climate, land use, skills and economic growth. The challenge now is delivery: translating broad consensus into a smaller number of practical priorities, clear responsibilities and sustained action. Food Nation 2040 turns to the next question: how can shared ambition become a focused framework for action, investment and delivery?

What will it focus on?

Food Nation 2040 is organised around four interconnected missions from the Good Food Cycle: healthier and more affordable food; resilient and sustainable supply; good growth; and thriving food communities. Across all four, investment is treated as an essential enabling condition, because businesses and partners need confidence and clarity to commit behind long-term change.

Who will be involved?

No single organisation can transform the food system alone. Progress will require collaboration, long-term commitment and a willingness to focus on the actions that matter most.

As an organisation that works across the whole food system, IGD will act as a convenor for Food Nation 2040, working with industry partners across the food system and with government. The work will involve businesses from across farming, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and foodservice and hospitality, alongside policymakers, investors, trade associations, academics, civil society organisations, local and regional partners and community voices.

What happens next?

A first proposal for Food Nation 2040 has been informed by ongoing discussion with senior leaders within the food and drink industry, Defra and FSAB. It will be made public in Autumn as a framework for discussion and engagement, not as a finished answer. The proposal forms a basis for continued engagement with partners across the food system. It will also identify areas where work is already underway, set some clear priorities that can be actioned at pace and the ultimate aim is to build a prioritised, actionable and transparent plan that can support coordinated progress towards 2040.

The UK food sector has the expertise, innovation and determination needed to build the world’s leading resilient, healthy and investable food system. By industry, government and wider stakeholders working together with a shared sense of purpose, we can create a food system that supports economic growth, improves public health, strengthens resilience and delivers lasting benefits for people, communities and the planet.