Retailer joins over 100 businesses urging cross-industry and government action to strengthen UK’s food system
Sainsbury’s has backed the Good Food Bill, joining calls for closer collaboration between industry and government to improve the resilience of the UK food system.
The proposed bill, launched in February 2026, has now received the support of over 100 food businesses. It proposes a new framework to embed long-term objectives to ensure all have access to nutritious food.
Key to this is transforming the UK’s food system to ensure it can withstand challenges such as extreme weather and geopolitical crises.
Proposed measures include creating statutory targets to reduce childhood obesity, creating a reference diet to guide policymaking, five-year government action plans, and ministerial duties to consider the bill when making decisions related to food
The bill also seeks to boost to domestic fruit and vegetable production, supporting British farmers and reducing the UK’s reliance on imported food.
Simon Roberts, chief executive at Sainsbury’s, said: “Food and farming should be at the heart of government policy, helping to build a stronger and more resilient future.
“Through working together to drive the change we need across government, industry and communities, we can make sure everyone has access to good food for years to come.”
The retailer’s backing comes amid growing concerns over the UK’s food security following recent heatwaves across Europe that have highlighted the vulnerability of supply chains.
Roberts added: “Recent weeks have shown just how much pressure our food system is under. We need a more resilient food system that attracts investment, backs British farmers and helps keep affordable, nutritious food on tables across the nation.”
The bill also promotes a more joined-up approach to tackling food insecurity, as millions of children are expected to face holiday hunger during the summer school break.
Sainsbury’s has also partnered with Comic Relief to provide an £8 million boost to help struggling families this summer and fund food provision and holiday activity programmes for children.
