Food and Drink Innovation Gateway

The FDF can help your food and drink business by making it simple to access the expertise available to improve manufacturing processes. The ever-present pressure to increase productivity, together with challenges around labour shortages, skills shortages and net zero means that the opportunities offered through adopting innovative technologies have never been more important.

And yet, bringing innovation and technology into your business doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Often there are relatively small adjustments or process refinements that can have a big impact on making your business more resilient, efficient, and profitable. The business support is out there, but it can often be a challenge to know where to start or who to speak to.

The FDF has brought together the innovation support from across the UK into a single gateway that enables FDF members to get connected with the organisations and people best placed to help them.

What to expect from the Gateway?

In the current economic climate where prices are rising and growing labour shortages, the FDF has been looking at ways to offer greater support for all our members. 

If you are an SME and taking your first steps into automation adoption, The FDF can get you started on your journey by helping to source existing technologies that can have a big impact.

Larger businesses who may be further along in their journey towards greater automation, the Gateway can help you tackle your next big challenge.

No matter the size of your business or where you are based, the Gateway can support with:

• Expert advice from innovation centres across the UK
• An initial scoping call to discuss your needs
• Opportunity for a free line walk and visit report
• Support identifying relevant funding and support with bid writing
• Recommendations for technology providers and/or capital investment funding