The world will need 60% more food by 2050 to allow us to feed 9 billion people. The UK has a thriving, world-renowned food and drink sector, with products in demand across the globe, from Scotch Whisky to cheese, confectionery and premium seafood. The sector plays a key role in the economies of all countries on a local, national, and international level. It is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK and the wider food industry contributes £112bn gross value added (GVA) and employs one in eight people across the UK. The enduring strength of the sector is built on strong agricultural and manufacturing foundations. The sector is at the cutting edge of innovation and world class science; from new technologies that raise agricultural productivity and resilience while reducing environmental impact, to innovation that prolongs shelf life, helping to reduce food waste.

In recent years, the development of functional food has received a substantially increased level of consumer interest as more businesses set to discover the active influence of food on well‐being and life expectancy, as well as in the prevention of non-transmissible chronic diseases.  At GKA Innovation, our experts have extensive experience working with different food manufacturers and have been able to successfully provide them with access to a range of different funding schemes.