British Food: Championing Change in Hospitality

From community gardens springing up on forgotten patches of land to school cooks inspiring the next generation, local food heroes are changing lives in communities across the UK – and now Love British Food wants to find them.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of British Food Fortnight (26 September – 11 October), the organiser Love British Food and official retail partner, Morrisons has launched the search for its 2026 Champion of Change – an individual, group or organisation using British food to make a positive difference where they live.

They could be growing fresh produce for families who need it, turning surplus food into affordable meals, teaching children to cook from scratch, bringing older people together over lunch, or a local farm co-operative helping more people understand where their food comes from.

Whatever the scale, the competition aims to celebrate the people whose ideas, energy and everyday actions are strengthening communities through food.

Love British Food founder, Alexia Robinson, said: “This competition is about finding and celebrating the local heroes who are bringing people together through British food, often without getting the recognition they deserve.

“We want to hear about anyone making a difference in their community, whether that’s transforming community growing-spaces, rescuing and redistributing surplus food, providing cookery lessons or delivering farm-to-fork experiences that help people connect with fresh, seasonal produce. British Food Fortnight has celebrated the food grown and produced across the country for 25 years, but it’s the people behind these grassroots initiatives who bring it to life by driving changes that benefit local communities.

“Share your unsung food heroes with us and help us uncover inspiring stories from communities across the country – stories that can encourage others to take action and create change through British food.”

Last year’s competition was won by Loughborough charity, Pro-Active Community Endeavour (PACE), which supports local people of all ages and brings them together around healthy home-cooked meals made with fresh, local, British produce.

Morrisons Community Manager, Joseph Clark-Bland, said: “As a champion of British food, Morrisons is proud to support British Food Fortnight’s Community Competition and this year’s search for a worthy Champion of Change.

“This is a chance to celebrate the unsung community heroes who are working tirelessly to make British food the first choice on every plate.

“This competition provides an exciting platform to recognise those having a lasting impact on their communities by developing a stronger connection with British food.”

Could someone you know be a Champion of Change?

Your nominee might be someone who is:
• Putting British produce at the heart of meals in a school, hospital, care home, restaurant, workplace, farm shop or community setting.
• Helping people discover where their food comes from and why choosing British matters.
• Bringing farmers, growers, cooks, customers or communities closer together.
• Cutting food waste or food miles, sharing surplus produce, or making fresh seasonal food easier to access.
• Using British food to improve wellbeing, support local people or inspire healthier and more sustainable choices.

Give your food hero their moment

Nominating is simple. Visit the competition page and tell us, in no more than 500 words, who your Champion of Change is, what they are doing and why their story deserves to be celebrated.

The winner will receive a special hamper, courtesy of Morrisons, and an oak plaque to commemorate their achievement. They will also feature across Love British Food’s website and social media channels, as well as in a dedicated press release to national and regional media.

Entries close at midnight on Sunday 11 October 2026.