Red Tractor Partnership Puts British Sourcing Firmly On The Menu

Love British Food has named Red Tractor as its Lead Assurance Partner for 2026, joining forces to strengthen demand for assured British produce across retail, foodservice and the public sector.

The partnership brings together two prominent voices in British food and farming at a time when growers and producers are seeking stronger commercial commitments to domestic sourcing.

Love British Food, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, said the collaboration would help connect the promotion of home-grown food with the independently assessed standards supporting its production.

The organisations will work together to encourage British sourcing to feature more prominently in retailers’ purchasing policies, foodservice menus and public-sector tender specifications.

For consumers, the partnership aims to build greater understanding of the standards, traceability and provenance behind assured British food. Buyers, caterers and retailers will also be given additional support to make informed sourcing decisions.

Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, said: “British farm businesses need wider industry ambition to translate into meaningful commercial action.”

She said combining the organisations’ reach across food production, retail, foodservice and consumer audiences would help turn support for British farming into tangible purchasing decisions.

The initiative is particularly relevant to Britain’s fresh produce sector, with Red Tractor assurance covering a wide range of fruit, vegetables and salad crops grown to independently assessed standards.

Red Tractor said every major UK retailer and many foodservice companies already specify its assurance requirements within their sourcing policies. Its logo is also recognised by three-quarters of UK consumers, according to the organisation.

Paul McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Red Tractor, said British farmers, growers and processors deserved greater recognition throughout the supply chain for producing food to high standards.

“This partnership is a great opportunity to amplify support for British food and farming,” he added.

The collaboration will also support activity surrounding this year’s British Food Fortnight, which runs from 26 September to 11 October.

Love British Food and Red Tractor will use their combined networks to encourage farmers, growers, producers, retailers and caterers to participate, showcasing the quality, diversity and value of food produced across Britain.

The campaign will provide a timely platform for fresh produce businesses to promote seasonal British crops and encourage shoppers, chefs and procurement teams to make home-grown produce their first choice.