More than 460 delegates from across the UK food system gathered at IGD’s Future of the UK Food System 2026 conference on 21 October, with industry leaders and government ministers calling for stronger collaboration to address food security, public health, workforce challenges and sustainability.
The event brought together senior figures from industry and civil society to discuss how the sector can translate shared ambitions into practical action, with speakers highlighting the links between economic growth, resilience, investment and access to healthier food.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s and president of IGD, opened the conference by calling for closer cooperation between industry and government. He linked food security to national security and urged businesses across the food system to help build a healthier, more resilient and productive future.
Dame Angela Eagle, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, reinforced the need to move from ambition to implementation. Her keynote address highlighted the importance of local action, school meals, equal access to good food and sustained investment in resilience.
Discussions throughout the day examined how businesses could respond to changing consumer needs while building a more resilient food system.
Sessions on health explored the impact of GLP-1 medicines and the role the industry could play in improving long-term health outcomes. Other discussions focused on creating the confidence and conditions needed to encourage investment, alongside strengthening supply chains and sustainability.
Workforce and skills in focus
Recruitment and skills development also featured prominently, with speakers examining how the food sector could attract young people and make career opportunities more accessible.
Andrew Western, minister for employment, highlighted the scale of the employment opportunity, noting that the UK food system supports around five million jobs, while nearly one million people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training.
Ellie Hopper, a graduate at Asda, offered a young person's perspective on how employers could better communicate the range of career opportunities available across the industry.
Discussions also highlighted Feeding Britain's Future, an initiative aimed at helping young people understand potential career paths in the food sector. Speakers called for earlier engagement, more transparent recruitment and clearer routes into employment.
Breakout sessions complemented the main-stage discussions, giving delegates opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences on health, workforce development, resilience and supply chains.
Claire Evans of Fenmarc Produce said the event brought together different parts of the food industry and demonstrated that the sector could confront the challenges ahead.
IGD chief executive Sarah Bradbury said the food system was critical to the country's future success but that stakeholders could not afford to delay progress on shared priorities.
“We've spent years understanding the challenges. Today's discussions showed we're increasingly aligned on the solutions. We have the opportunity now to deliver together,” she said.