Across the UK, momentum is building behind a simple but transformative idea: that good food is not a luxury, but a foundation for national wellbeing. More than 100 organisations — from major supermarkets and food businesses to health groups, NGOs, and academic institutions — have united to call for a landmark Good Food Bill.

Put simply, their message is that without decisive action at the highest level, the UK’s food system will continue to falter, undermining public health, economic resilience, and environmental stability.

For whole food advocates it seems like a rare opportunity to reshape the conditions that determine what ends up on our plates, how it is produced, and who can access it. At its heart lies a belief we share deeply: good food is a public good, and supporting its consumption is one of the most powerful levers for improving lives.

Transforming the system

The call for a Good Food Bill aligns closely with the push for a comprehensive Food Strategy White Paper — a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity for the UK Government to set out a visionary, integrated plan for transforming England’s food system. The need for such a plan has never been more urgent.

Recent global shocks, from geopolitical instability to extreme weather events, have exposed the fragility of food supply chains. Climatic disruptions, biodiversity loss, and rising production costs are converging with persistent food price inflation, placing enormous pressure on farmers and households alike.

These stresses reveal a simple truth: food security cannot be left to chance. It requires coordinated, cross‑government action grounded in long‑term thinking.

A White Paper, backed by primary legislation, would provide exactly that. It would establish food system impact targets, embed long‑term duties across government departments, and create the durable policy bedrock needed to protect progress from shifting political cycles. In other words, it would turn good intentions into lasting change.

Legislation matters

As Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, notes, governments can achieve important wins within a single term — but only legislation can lock in change. foodfoundation.org.uk This is especially true in food policy, where short‑term political priorities often overshadow long‑term public health needs.

A Good Food Bill would:

• Set clear duties and targets to make healthy food more accessible and affordable.
• Support farmers and producers through stable, climate‑resilient supply chains.
• Align trade, investment, and environmental policy with the goal of a healthier population.
• Reduce inequalities by ensuring that nutritious food is not a privilege but a right.
• Strengthen national food security by increasing domestic production and resilience.

These are not abstract goals. They are the building blocks of a fair, sustainable food system — one that supports both people and the planet.

The public is ready

Polling shows overwhelming public support for government action:

• 69% believe the government should do more to ensure everyone can afford and access healthy food.
• 65% support a Food Bill that introduces duties and targets to make healthy food more accessible. foodfoundation.org.uk

Behind these numbers are real stories. Parents who travel across town to find affordable groceries. Young people who struggle to concentrate at school because of poor nutrition. Families forced to choose between heating and eating. Food Ambassadors quoted in the joint statement speak powerfully about these everyday realities — and about the hope that a Good Food Bill could bring. foodfoundation.org.uk

Their voices remind us that food policy is not just about systems and supply chains. It is about dignity, opportunity, and the basic human right to nourishment.

Good Food as a Driver of Health and Economic Growth

The central role of good food in supporting health is well established. Diet‑related illness is one of the biggest drivers of healthcare costs and lost productivity. A healthier population is not only a moral imperative — it is an economic one.

A White Paper that prioritises good food would help the UK:

• Reduce the burden of chronic disease.
• Improve workforce productivity.
• Support innovation in sustainable agriculture and food production.
• Build resilient supply chains that can withstand future shocks.

Through smart investment, aligned trade policy, and clear standards, the government can unlock opportunities for growth while supporting farmers, producers, and retailers to deliver nutritious, sustainable food.

A Moment the Government Must Seize

With food system strategies already underway in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Westminster has a unique opportunity to lead a UK‑wide transformation. A Good Food Bill would not only align England with the devolved nations but also create a coherent national framework for long‑term change.

The coalition of more than 100 organisations is calling on the government to seize this moment — to commit to new primary legislation and champion a food system that is fairer, healthier, and more resilient. foodfoundation.org.uk

For Whole Food Living readers, the message is simple: supporting good food at the highest level is not just about policy. It is about shaping a future where nutritious, sustainable food is the norm, not the exception. A Good Food Bill could be the catalyst that finally makes that future possible.