British Food Fortnight message reaches millions of consumers

Organisers of British Food Fortnight (22 Sept – 7 Oct) are celebrating their most successful year to date with the ‘Buy British’ message reaching millions of consumers.

Thousands of events were held with food festivals in Aldeburgh, the East Midlands, West Sussex, South Somerset, Malvern, York, Leicestershire, Manchester, Alnwick and the Brecon Beacons.

There were also promotions in shops, pubs and restaurants; activities in schools, events at National Trust properties and famous landmarks made out of British wheat exhibited in London. 

Media coverage included BBC News online, Radio 2, ITV, QVC, every national newspaper and publications covering an enormous breadth of interest groups from education to lifestyle, travel to farming and retail to catering.

In total it is estimated that the ‘Buy British’ message is now seen or heard over 300m times during each year’s event. 

The event’s website also received 5.8m hits and was visited by 340,000 people.

Alexia Robinson, organiser of the event, said: “When British Food Fortnight started six years ago you had to search hard to find British food when you were shopping or eating out. 

“Now – with more shops, pubs and restaurants than ever before taking part in the national promotion – British food is more accessible to consumers; and the success of the event’s education programme is laying the foundations for the next generation to make a conscious effort to buy it in years to come.”
 
 British Food Fortnight 2007 was sponsored by Nationwide, Budgens & ARAMARK and featured the British Food Fortnight ‘Cook for Life’ Challenge sponsored by Kenwood.