Sustain: The Alliance For Better Food And Farming

16/06/2026

Stephen Morgan MP now Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister - Sustain responds

Sustain welcomes the new Food and Farming Minister and sets out a pressing policy agenda - from the Food Strategy to the Farming Roadmap - that demands early and determined attention.

11/06/2026

Sustain welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and clarity on funding.

But important gaps remain which risk preventing the scheme delivering for farmers and the environment.

Alys Bannister, Sustain's Sustainable Farming Campaign Manager says:

“The Sustainable Farming Incentive is a key tool for supporting the transition to more resilient farming, but in its current form it omits many of our most sustainable producers.

The 3 hectare threshold excludes small-scale and horticultural growers, who are vital to delivering environmental outcomes and supporting resilient local food systems.

If these growers cannot access core schemes like SFI, it will be much harder to grow a diverse and resilient sector that delivers environmental benefits alongside food production.”

▶️ Read our full analysis here:

Sustain welcomes the Government’s renewed commitment to Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and clarity on funding, but important gaps remain which risk preventing the scheme delivering for farmers and the environment. 

08/06/2026

The UK imports most of its fruit and veg. Sustain is now working with Defra to change that.

▶️ Did you know the UK imports over 50% of the vegetables and over 80% of the fresh fruit we eat? Recent reports from Sustain alliance members have also found most children and adults do not eat enough fruit and vegetables a day, with these trends worsening each year.

This is a real missed opportunity for building up UK resilience. Fruit and vegetables are a key opportunity for economic growth and supporting the health of our nation.

▶️ Sustain and partners from the UK Fruit and Vegetable Coalition are now in the room with Defra to help shape plans for growing the UK’s fruit and veg sector.

After years advocating for action to scale up agroecological fruit and vegetable production, Sustain is delighted to see the government giving priority to horticulture, as the first farming sector to develop a growth plan.

▶️ A well-designed Horticulture Growth Strategy could help the UK be more self-sufficient in the food we need for healthy diets, while supporting livelihoods in rural and peri-urban communities.

This is a real opportunity to secure better support for existing growers, alongside the next generation of producers. With the right ambition, the plan could drive a transition to more sustainable fruit and vegetable production and help to address the interconnected challenges of climate, nature and public health.

🔽 Read more about the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan and what Sustain is calling for here:

Sustain's Sustainable Farming Campaign team met with Defra officials to discuss plans to grow the organic and agroecological fruit and vegetable sector.

03/06/2026

Where is the investment for farming and food? Sustain responds to Carbon Budget 7

Food and farming are set to become the UK's largest source of emissions - yet the latest Carbon Budget offers no credible plan to transform food and farming when we need it most.

🔽 Read our full analysis and set of recommendations

Food and farming are set to become the UK's largest source of emissions - yet the latest Carbon Budget offers no credible plan to transform food and farming when we need it most.

02/06/2026

Organic fruit and veg isn't just a boost for nature and health, it's good for the local economy too!

LATEST Bridging the Gap report looks at how innovative retail solutions, from vouchers to vans, can bridge the gap between local growers, shops and their communities.

We found more people eating organic not only led to improved sense of health and wellbeing for whole communities, but also MORE MONEY circulating locally.

Everyone benefits: the growers, the shoppers, the environment and the local economy.

WATCH about it below. Read about it here >> https://www.sustainweb.org/reports/may26-how-organic-in-local-shops-benefits-people-and-communities/

01/06/2026

Sustain and Foodrise - for climate, nature, justice shortlisted for the SMK National Campaigner Awards 2026 for stopping a megafarm in Methwold!

The Sheila Mckechnie Foundation has recognised the work by Sustain, Foodrise and local residents to successfully stop one of Europe’s largest proposed megafarms. The campaign established climate change as a valid reason for councils to refuse factory farm planning applications.

READ MORE: https://www.sustainweb.org/news/may26-sustain-up-for-smk-award/

28/05/2026

The UK just recorded its hottest May day on record, while food prices are now main worry for most Britons.

🔽 We need new ways to shop that connect climate-friendly growers with shoppers and keep money in communities.

The UK just recorded its all-time highest May temperature, while food prices are now the main worry for most Britons. We need new ways to shop that connect climate-friendly growers with shoppers and keep money in communities, says latest Sustain report.

18/05/2026

Did you know? Local food systems can be more resilient to shocks and inflation!

New review commissioned by Sustain and undertaken by the Organic Research Centre compares performance of shorter, more diverse local food systems to conventional ones and outlines key benefits 🔽

Sustain calls for local food systems to be prioritised in the government’s forthcoming Food Strategy as new review of evidence shows they can be more shock resilient than incumbent systems, whilst also strengthening local economies.

29/04/2026

Food companies have the power to make healthy food the default, not a luxury.

They decide what goes on our shelves, how it's priced, and how it's marketed. Right now, many are using that power to only grow their profits. We're calling on them to use it to improve our health instead.
👇 Demand change. Add your name
www.recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up/

27/04/2026

We deserve better.

No parent should have to fight this hard just to feed their kids well.
But for millions of families across the UK, healthy food is too expensive, too hard to find, or simply not available in their area. Children are growing up surrounded by food options, promotions and advertising that are working against them, not for them.

Watch to hear more and if you also want to see healthier, affordable options for families. Add your name at the link below 👇, or head to our link in bio to read our calls and sign up.

www.recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up/


The Food Foundation Action on Sugar Impact on Urban Health