Britain faces significant challenges linked to poor diet, which impact public health, educational outcomes, workforce productivity, and the sustainability of the National Health Service (NHS). Despite widespread recognition of these issues, access to affordable, healthy food remains limited for many families. Data indicates that fewer than one in ten children aged 11 to 18 meet the recommended intake of five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, highlighting persistent barriers to healthy eating.

While food security discussions often focus on supply chain resilience and production, experts argue that true food security must also ensure the next generation receives adequate nutrition to support healthy development. This broader understanding has prompted a coalition of businesses, charities, health organisations, and civil society groups—led by the Food Foundation, Sustain, and the Green Alliance—to endorse the Good Food Bill. Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer and private-sector employer, is among the supporters of the proposed legislation.

The Good Food Bill aims to establish a legal framework to improve access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food while enhancing the resilience of the food system against challenges such as climate change, geopolitical instability, and rising costs. Key provisions would include legally binding targets to reduce childhood obesity, increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children, and decrease household food insecurity. The bill would also impose a duty on public bodies to promote access to nutritious food and mandate independent reporting on progress to Parliament.

Proponents argue that addressing nutrition is critical not only for public health but also for the country’s long-term economic performance. Investment in children’s nutrition is seen as essential to developing a productive workforce and supporting economic growth. This perspective emphasizes that attention to infrastructure, skills, and investment must be matched by efforts to improve dietary quality among younger generations.

Climate-related challenges such as wildfires, droughts, and flooding have disrupted food production and supply chains across Europe and the UK, increasing the urgency of building a more resilient and sustainable food system. Combined with ongoing pressure on household budgets, these trends underscore the need to make healthy food more accessible.

Tesco and the Food Foundation have both urged the government to introduce mandatory reporting by food companies on the healthiness of their sales as an immediate step. However, supporters contend that the Good Food Bill would provide a consistent, long-term policy framework across successive governments, addressing the fragmented responsibilities that currently exist across departments.

Food policy intersects with multiple national priorities, including public health, education, environmental sustainability, and rural community resilience, but no single entity can address these issues alone. The coalition emphasizes that coordinated action between government, industry, and civil society is necessary to transform the food system. Businesses in the sector have demonstrated innovation and adaptability, qualities that supporters believe can be harnessed to make healthier and more sustainable food choices easier and more affordable for consumers.

Advocates of the Good Food Bill call for a bold plan matching Britain’s expertise and ambition. They stress that a secure food system must not only ensure food availability but also guarantee it supports healthy diets essential for the country’s future wellbeing.