This Year's British Food Fortnight 19th September – 4th October 2009 was the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces.
Highlights included:

•      ‘Buy British’ message reaches millions… this year’s British Food Fortnight reached an unprecedented number of the public. Thousands of events were held with food festivals across Britain including in more than half the English counties.
 
•      More British food on menus than ever before... more British food was consumed though the catering sector over the two weeks than ever before with eight of the largest food service organisations, led by ARAMARK, six of the biggest pub groups led by Young’s, all the chef associations, the Youth Hostel Association, Anchor Care Homes and many others all putting British food on the menu.
 
•      More British promotions in shops than ever before…all the major supermarkets ran special British promotions during British Food Fortnight signifying the greatest support in the history of the event. Hundreds of independent stores flew the Union Jack in the high street with tastings, meet-the-producer events and special offers on British food, led by Budgens official sponsor of the event, who also invited local schools to design British food bunting for their local store to display.

“So many people turned up to our British Food Fortnight event that we couldn’t fit them all inside the store!”

Kanna Mahunda, store owner, Budgens, Stoneleigh

•      Young and old participate… Anchor Trust, the biggest provider of Care Homes for the elderly, organised lots of activities for residents, including meals made using recipes from the 1940s. 

Alexia Robinson, organiser of the event, says: “The major retailers and caterers have almost unanimously given a high five for British food during this year’s British Food Fortnight.  Why?  They know that consumers don’t just want it, they are demanding it.  In these tough economic times, people are thinking more carefully about the sustainability of the food chain.  They want value for money but value in the case of food has never been just about price – it is about taste, freshness and quality.  The best guarantee of these values is British food, produced to the highest standards in the world.  Food, glorious British food’s moment has arrived!” 

British Food Fortnight 2010 takes place 18th September to 3rd October 2010.
( www.lovebritishfood.co.uk)