Sustainable Foods London returns to the BDC for its 4th annual edition on 28-29 January 2025. This event is dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
The conference and exhibition will provide a vital platform for industry leaders to discuss how the sector can transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems. At the BDC, we actively support sustainability, and are excited to host this impactful event, to help drive tangible change and decisive business outcomes for the sector.
A Growing Movement
Sustainable Foods London was born during the pandemic, initially as an online event. According to Hussein, the event’s co-founder, it was created in response to a surge of interest in healthy diets and resilient food supply chains.
Over the years, the event has expanded significantly.
“This year we are anticipating a fivefold increase in attendance compared to 2023,” says Hussein.
“Strong sponsorship and industry support have propelled the event forward, making it a must-attend gathering for anyone involved in the F&B supply chain.”
This growth reflects the increasing urgency of addressing sustainability within the sector. With the food and beverage industry responsible for approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, events like this are crucial in fostering collaboration and driving change.
The 2025 event will focus on UK food security, a particularly pertinent theme given the current challenges. “With 42% of the UK’s food imported—more than twice that of our ex-EU partners—our food system faces unprecedented vulnerabilities,” explains Hussein. “Geopolitical instability, climate change, new trade regulations, and inflation-driven cost-of-living pressures make immediate strategic action imperative.”
Attendees can look forward to keynote speeches from Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, and James Mayer, President of Danone UK and EIRE. These industry leaders will provide insights into how their companies are tackling sustainability challenges and encourage other businesses to follow suit.
The event will also feature an exhibition with around 50 businesses showcasing innovative solutions for sustainability. A dedicated 1-2-1 meeting zone, supported by a pre-event networking app, will ensure that attendees can make meaningful connections to advance their sustainability journeys.
Why Sustainability Matters
For Hussein, the importance of addressing sustainability in supply chains cannot be overstated.
“Sustainability is a shared problem. It’s not just a ‘nice to have’, it’s becoming a front-and-centre issue for companies, especially those that sell food and drink,” he says.
Hussein explains that the potential consequences of inaction for businesses could be very costly, with significant disruptions to supply chains jeopardising their ability to generate sales and profits.
“As a nation, we need to rethink how we produce, consume, and value our food. It’s a matter of resilience, sustainability, and national security. We cannot afford to ignore this,” he says.
Looking Ahead
Sustainable Foods London is more than just a conference; it’s a call to action. By bringing together retailers, manufacturers, farmers, financiers, and other stakeholders, the event aims to foster the collaboration needed to tackle systemic challenges in the F&B industry.
As Hussein aptly puts it, “Sustainable Foods brings together retailers, manufacturers of food and drink, farmers, financiers, and other stakeholders to advance conversations on these pertinent issues.
Here at the BDC we are passionate about sustainability and being a certified B-Corp we are always striving to continually improve our business practices and take care of our planet.
If you are looking to find out more on the topic of suitability then read another one of our blogs on how to create a more sustainable office space.
Want to be part of the conversation? Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with industry leaders. You can buy tickets for the event here and if you need any information on when planning check out our Visitors page
