There’s a strong movement happening across the country right now – people are coming together to fight back and protect our food and farming industry.
Our farmers aren’t the bad guys. In fact, it’s been really encouraging to see more supermarkets here in Britain finally recognising the importance of supporting British food and getting more of it onto their shelves.
2025 has been a full-on year for us – supporting our Love Local, Trust Local members and continuing our fight for better food labelling. One of the highlights has to be Open Farm Sunday. It was such a brilliant day and I still feel incredibly proud thinking about how many people came out to visit us at the farm. It really means a lot.
Another special moment this year was being invited to sit on the panel at the Bridport Food Festival, and working alongside Claire King from The NAT (National Advisory Team). It made me realise more than ever how important it is for farmers to have a voice – to speak up and tell our side of the story.
So many people don’t realise how tough it is to produce food in a way that’s both economical and sustainable. We’re at the mercy of global markets, and unlike most countries, we’re one of the few where the prices we get are governed so heavily by supermarkets and world trade. That’s not fair.
Farmers don’t waste food – far from it. But a lot of what happens is out of our control. We need more understanding, more support and better systems in place. Education is a big part of this too. We’ve got to make sure our children are getting the nourishment they need – and that starts with food education and proper meals at home.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re really excited to be launching our new awards. Entries will open early in 2026 – so keep an eye out for that!
Most of all, we need to reconnect: with our food, with our farmers and with the beautiful rural landscapes that surround us. They’re not just nice to look at – they’re essential to how we live, eat and thrive.
By Barbara Cossins,
Love Local Trust Local
