Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote locally sourced produce in (a) supermarkets and (b) high street shops.

What we eat and drink, and how and where it is made, is part of our nation’s story. It provides employment opportunities, contributes to local economies, shapes the landscapes we all value and engenders local pride and identity, right across the UK.

As a Government, we have a Manifesto commitment that we want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British. We can all celebrate and support our exceptional British food and drink products by choosing to buy local, seasonal and sustainable produce from local shops and high streets.

I am acutely aware of the critical role supermarkets and high street shops play in our food supply chain; both as the direct links to the consumer, and also because of their ability to influence the rest of the food chain. However, we also need to recognise that supermarkets and other retailers are privately owned, and sourcing decisions are a commercial matter.

We welcome efforts from all parts of the food chain to promote and source local, British products, and I know that many supermarkets are already taking steps to do so. For example, a growing number of major retailers are now launching initiatives to provide practical support to high potential small food and drink businesses here in the UK.

We are engaging with retailers to identify opportunities to further strengthen their offer on locally sourced food. This includes ensuring a simple and accessible process for local producers to get their products stocked, greater visibility of the local offer in store and on e-shopping platforms and strong representation of local produce across a broader range of product categories.