Food
The Food and Drink Manufacturing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. In terms of economic contribution, it accounts for 17% of all UK manufacturing GVA (£28.2 billion).

The Food and Drink Manufacturing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. In terms of economic contribution, it accounts for 17% of all UK manufacturing GVA (£28.2 billion). It comprises just over 6,800 businesses and employs nearly 400,000 people. Innovation is key to the Food & Drink Manufacturing sector. Key areas are nutrition, shelf life, packaging, healthy eating, minimal processing, food safety and waste minimisation.
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Current Food funding opportunities
Farming Innovation Programme - large R&D partnership projects
Opens: 30/03/2022 Closes: 29/06/2022
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £8 million for large R&D partnership projects, from the industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Farming Innovation Programme.
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Farming Innovation Programme: research starter pilot, EoI Round 2
Opens: 23/05/2022 Closes: 06/07/2022
Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £1 million for feasibility projects.
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Biodiversity and Food Production: The Future of the British Landscape
This event is for industry, academia, farmers/growers, government and funders involved in AgriFood. We’d like to gather a wide range of opinions around biodiversity and food production, a critical topic for the sector. Input from speakers and attendees will inform outputs of the event.
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Related News

06.01.2022
Biodiversity and Food Production: The Future of the British Landscape
Find out why the link between biodiversity and food production is important right now and what challenges are faced by the farming and growing communities; and read about international perspectives, supply chain innovations, related funding opportunities and new innovations.
Read more

21.02.2022
Young Innovators Success Stories: Marcus Comaschi, GyroPlant, South East
When Marcus received the Young Innovators Award from Innovate UK and The Prince’s Trust, his time was split between his day job as a freelance design engineer and progressing his concept for a sustainability-focused vertical farming innovation.