Fruit and Vegetable Alliance Launch

The launch of the Fruit and Vegetable Alliance took place in Parliament with the support of Helen Whately MP and the APPG for Fruit and Vegetable Growers.

The Alliance brings together small and large producers, producer organisations, trade associations and health/food charities to develop a vision for edible horticulture in the UK. The launch of the Alliance marks the beginning of a coordinated drive to boost production and consumption of fruit and vegetables in the UK in order to improve public health. 

The Alliance is supported by the Government. Members will form a new Edible Horticulture Roundtable that is being launched with the support of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Roundtable will provide DEFRA with regular advice on edible horticulture. The diverse range of organisations involved will make the Alliance the go-to source for input and advice on edible horticulture for the Government and other actors in the industry and public health community.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “It is great to see this initiative to encourage people to eat more of the UK’s excellent fruit and vegetables as way of improving public health. “As we set out in our recent consultation, we also want to see food production go hand in hand with our farmers’ work to protect and enhance the natural environment.”

A short briefing was produced for the launch, setting out the who, what, why and how of the Fruit and Vegetable Alliance.

This infographic illustrates the opportunities to support fruit and vegetable production and consumption in the UK.