ITN Business has announced the production of a news-style programme and digital campaign, 'Food & Drink: Powers Our Nation', launched at IFE 2024. 

From farm to fork, food and drink manufacturing is the largest manufacturing sector, within the UK, employing almost 500,000 people. However, our food systems are under pressure and key to providing solutions, is innovation.

Hosted by produce expert and food television presenter, Chris Bavin, from the ITN London studio, ‘Food & Drink: Powers Our Nation’ looks at the organisations playing their part when it comes to food system innovation, addressing nutrition challenges helping to shape the way we eat. The technological solutions making manufacturing more efficient and those helping to cut emissions within the industry.

The programme features films and interviews with esteemed thought leaders including a reporter led film for the Food & Drink Federation on reformulation and an interview with Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of the Institute of Food Science and Technology on the need for collaboration between industry, science and policy makers. The programmer also interviewed speakers from IFE Mex Ibrahim, founder of Women in the Food Industry and Charles Banks co-founder of trend & foresight agency, thefoodpeople on trending consumer habits and the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The programme also features interviews and reporter-led sponsored editorial profiles from the following organisations:

• Ashbury - Otherwise known as the ‘Product information people,’ Ashbury are global food regulatory experts who work with brands to make food labelling compliance easy. This enables them to bring new products to market, whilst ensuring brand protection and consumer safety.
• Company Shop Group – They work with retailers, manufacturers and brands to redistribute their surplus food and household products. Their end-to-end model allows them to sell to communities in need, at an affordable price, reducing unnecessary waste and making a positive social impact, whilst providing financial returns to the industry.
• OFI - Olam Food Ingredients work with farming communities across the globe to provide food brands with ingredients for a range of innovative products that are good for people and the world around us. Consumers enjoy their products every day – from beans in coffee, to cocoa, dairy, nuts and spices.
• Westfalia – Celebrating their 75th anniversary, Westfalia Fruit are the leading global suppliers of high-quality avocadoes. They build strategies to strengthen the supply chain and invest in new technologies, to improve the livelihoods of communities, whilst also protecting the environment.

Nina Harrison-Bell, Head of ITN Business said: “Our programme Food & Drink: Powers Our Nation’ gives a real insight into the innovation within the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. Highlighting the solutions paving the way in making our food systems fit for the future, whilst having an environmental and societal impact.’

‘Food & Drink: Powers Our Nation’ launched at IFE with a showcase of the programme and a panel session, including guests from FDF, OFI and Company Shop Group. The programme features news items, interviews and sponsored editorial profiles and will be hosted on the ITN Business hub, supported by a digital campaign across LinkedIn, as well as being hosted and distributed by the New Scientist.

Watch the programme now on the ITN Business Hub