Wholesale body Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) has called on the Government to take action to keep food affordable, support British businesses and create routes into good work, warning that rising wholesale costs can put pressure on the wider food supply chain.
The trade body said wholesalers play an essential role in connecting producers with schools, hospitals, prisons, care homes, hospitality venues and independent businesses.
It warned that increases in the costs of depots, fuel and regulation can ripple through the supply chain, affecting public services, local businesses and household food bills.
FWD’s five priorities include protecting essential wholesale depots from unintended business rates increases, using public procurement to support British food and local suppliers, and making wholesale and logistics a route into good work.
The organisation is also calling for measures to cut food and packaging waste without adding avoidable supply chain costs, alongside policies that keep food distribution moving while accelerating the transition to cleaner fleets.
FWD said the measures could help keep food costs down, support local economies and build a cleaner, stronger supply chain.
The trade body added that it and its members were ready to work with ministers, mayors and officials to deliver the proposals.