Two reports from Foodrise argue that UK supermarkets are unable to deliver a food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment, and call for alternative retail models to take a larger role.
The first report, Profit over Purpose: Why supermarkets will make the food strategy fail, states that supermarkets, which control more than 96% of UK food retail, are structurally bound to prioritise profit. It highlights issues such as pressure on farmers, promotion of cheap processed food over fresh produce, and environmental impacts, including food waste and biodiversity loss. The report concludes that reliance on supermarkets undermines the government's food strategy.
The companion report, Purpose over Profit: How alternative food retail can make the food strategy a success, highlights initiatives such as cooperatives, employee-owned shops, farm shops, and vegetable delivery schemes. According to YouGov polling commissioned by Foodrise, 54% of respondents supported cooperative or employee-owned supermarket models, compared with 16% favouring private ownership. Examples cited include improved farmer income, reduced food waste, and stronger access to local produce.
Carina Millstone, Executive Director of Foodrise, said: "Our food system is primarily controlled by ten profit-driven supermarkets, and the consequences are devastating for farmers, communities, and the planet. But our new data shows the public wants something different: worker-owned food shops that put people and the environment ahead of profits. The government's food strategy will fail unless it tackles supermarket dominance head-on and gives grassroots alternatives the recognition and support they deserve."
Foodrise is calling for several measures, including a Food Chain Law to regulate supermarkets and ensure fair pay for farmers, ring-fencing revenue from salt and sugar taxes to reduce the cost of healthy food, rules requiring half of protein sales in large retailers to be plant-based by 2030, and investment in independent, community-led food retail.
Source: FoodRise