The LEP food board has undertaken a variety of major activities over the last six months.

Last November, a briefing was organised in the House of Commons for seven Lincolnshire MPs on the food chain. The briefing was hosted by John Hayes MP and covered innovation, trade, infrastructure and labour.

The Food Board was also pleased to contribute to the food chain section of the Made Smarter Review, published by Government in November 2017. The report included a focus on the value of digitalisation to the food chain – £56 billion over 10 years.

At the start of the year a joint meeting was held with food companies in the Humber LEP area to agree common sector issues for the forthcoming local industrial strategies.

The Food Board has two major meetings planned this year. The spring meeting will be hosted in Lincolnshire and focus on the Local Industrial Strategy, sector deals and DEFRA’s Food and Drink Sector Council.

The autumn meeting in Westminster will be to follow up on the first meeting with MPs last year. The meeting will focus on infrastructure and its role in supporting a progressive food sector post-Brexit.