Food And Drink Federation Runs British Business Convention

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) are coordinating sustainability and trade experts this month to discuss how manufacturers can develop secure and sustainable supply chains.

The event will help the global food system to combat unprecedented production and demand pressures over the coming decades.

The event, sponsored by ENER-G, will take place on 23 November at One Great George Street in Westminster.

Delegates will hear from speakers including: Anna Turrell, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Sustainability, Nestlé UK & Ireland; Nick Vermont, Regional CEO, McCain Foods and Chair of the FDF Sustainability Steering Group; Louise Nicholls, Head of Responsible Sourcing, Packaging and Plan A, Marks and Spencer; Beatrix Richards, Head of Forest Policy and Trade, WWF; and Professor Tim Lang, City University.

Key themes include the food security and business risks from challenges including climate change; how companies can tackle the challenges collaboratively and drive new opportunities; as well as the key security and sourcing issues for the future, such as natural capital. Alongside extensive networking opportunities, the following topics will also be discussed:

• Global food security in the face of climate change
• Brexit – a sustainability toolkit
• The FDF Environmental Ambition: Ambition 2025
• Responsible corporate citizenship
• Sustainable collaboration in UK food and drink

The event follows the recent launch of FDF’s “Ambition 2025 – Shaping Sustainable Value Chains”, which is the next step on the organisation’s journey to help deliver a sustainable food system for the future.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ian Wright CBE, FDF Director General, said:

“These are tumultuous times. Businesses face significant uncertainties in almost every area. Around the world, major economic and political change is on the horizon, with different priorities coming to the forefront.

Still, sustainability remains a key watchword in the UK food chain as the implications of climate change and a growing global population are becoming ever more apparent for business operations. This event will be the ideal forum to discuss these vital issues. It offers the chance to learn more about how to build resilience and responsibility into the supply chain and how to ensure the continued success and sustainability of businesses and their service to the consumer.”

Clare Burns, Head of Marketing for ENER-G, said:

“Managing energy and carbon reduction are business critical issues for most food and drink manufacturers. Going green makes good financial sense, so energy saving measures have a strong bottom line benefit and result in a more sustainable supply chain. ENER-G specialises in sustainable and efficient technologies, such as CHP, and is proud to sponsor this event and support FDF members with their sustainability objectives.”