The UK food and drink industry is operating in an increasingly global context and to stay competitive it must be constantly innovating. The FDF provides a hub where innovative ideas can come alive. Whether the driver is health and wellness, sustainability or something else, the FDF can be central to your ambitions.

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Innovation Gateway

Innovation support from across the UK that enables you and your business to get connected with the organisations and people best placed to help you.

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Automation and manufacturing technology

Automation is likely to be a key development in food manufacturing as part of the need to increase efficiency and productivity.

innovation

Funding and Grants

The FDF maintains close ties to funding bodies, as well as researchers and businesses with specialist knowledge in various innovation areas.

Latest updates

Final stakeholder clinics for IETF £185m competition – 9th and 16th April

Phase 3 three of the current IETF funding round is open until Friday 19th April. The competition will provide grant funding towards the costs of feasibility and engineering studies, energy efficiency deployment projects and deep decarbonisation deployment projects. To find out more, view the applicant guidance and make an application for funding, please visit the competition page.

If you have any questions on your application, you can speak to Government colleagues directly via one of the stakeholder clinics. These are run on a weekly basis, with the final ones taking place on 9th and 16th April. To attend, please visit the registration site.

Hallam AIMday “Healthy and Sustainable Food” 27th June 2024

Sheffield Hallam University’s National Centre for Excellence in Food Engineering will host AIMday Healthy and Sustainable Food on 27th June 2024 at Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park.

This event is an opportunity for companies to discuss a problem or challenge with Hallam's academic experts in a structured one-hour workshop.

You can apply here and submit a challenge question by 9th April to take part in this fantastic, free and innovative event!

If you have any queries, please come back to Bryony or Amanda.

Innovation news

Strengthening the UK’s Food Security: FDF Reaction to Policy Exchange Report

The report outlines steps for industry and government to drive innovation and support growth in the UK's largest manufacturing sector. 

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Karen Betts delivers speech at key annual dairy conference

FDF CEO Karen Betts speaks to attendees at the 2024 Semex International Dairy Conference and shares the FDF ‘Mission Possible’ strategy, which explores new opportunities for innovation and growth in dairy and across the food and drink manufacturing sector.

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How we can help your business

Report: Feeding the Future: Working together to build the National Food Strategy

08 October 2021

The Food and Drink Sector Council offers food chain solutions as part of the industry’s contribution to the UK Government’s forthcoming National Food Strategy.

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Report: A recipe for growth, prosperity and sustainability

06 May 2020

This is our shared plan for governments to work in partnership with the UK’s food and drink industry to ensure it continues to lead the world and meet the needs of UK consumers and shoppers.

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