How The Farm Shop Guide supports the Sustainable Food Trust and champions better British food
At the heart of The Farm Shop Guide lies a simple idea: that food should be good for people, good for farmers, and good for the planet. This beautifully designed book celebrates the best farm shops, producers and food destinations across the UK – places where local food and sustainable farming come together.
But The Farm Shop Guide isn’t just about where to shop. It’s about supporting a better food system. That’s why a percentage of every book sold is donated to the Sustainable Food Trust, a pioneering charity working to make farming in Britain more regenerative, nature-friendly and fair for all.
The Sustainable Food Trust: building a better food system
The Sustainable Food Trust (SFT) works globally and in the UK to accelerate the shift toward farming systems that are regenerative, equitable and nature-friendly.
Key programmes and campaigns
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Sustainable livestock: SFT campaigns for livestock to be managed as part of regenerative mixed farming systems, not in isolation. It advocates for higher welfare, lower emissions, and integration with soil and biodiversity goals.
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True-cost accounting: one of their flagship ideas is to make visible the hidden ‘external costs’ of food (e.g. pollution, biodiversity loss, health impacts), so that sustainable farms are rewarded rather than penalised.
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Local abattoirs and shorter supply chains: they have long campaigned for supporting small, regional abattoirs and infrastructure, knowing that local butchery capacity is essential for truly local food systems.
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Beacon Farms network: SFT runs a Beacon Farms initiative. This is a network of exemplar farms that demonstrate regenerative and sustainable practices, which act as live teaching sites and showcases.
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Feeding Britain: this SFT programme explores how we could transform what we farm and eat, to improve health, support nature, reduce emissions and bolster food security.
Recent insight and thought leadership
In late 2024, Patrick Holden (SFT’s founder) published a reflective piece on the future of farming under evolving political pressures, emphasising the tension between what farmers can change and what policy constrains. The SFT also regularly publishes research, commentary, and podcasts on pressing topics in food systems.
Looking toward 2026 and beyond
Looking to 2026 and beyond, the SFT’s core work in sustainable livestock, measuring sustainability, true cost accounting, and local systems is set to continue, with a focus on the Beacon Farms network, stronger policy advocacy, and further public communication campaigns. Their work on local abattoirs remains timely, especially as infrastructure pressures grow.
By buying The Farm Shop Guide, readers play a part in this ambition. Your support helps underpin research, advocacy, and farm-scale demonstration projects that show what a healthier, fairer food system can look like.
Celebrating others doing good work
Alongside its support for the Sustainable Food Trust, The Farm Shop Guide proudly promotes a network of like-minded organisations that share a passion for sustainable farming, wildlife, soil health and local food.
The Wildlife Trusts
Protecting nature across the UK, working with farmers to create wildlife-friendly habitats and thriving landscapes.
Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)
Encouraging integrated, practical approaches to farming that balance productivity with care for the environment.
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN)
Uniting farmers who show that profitable food production and thriving biodiversity can go hand in hand.
The Biodynamic Association
Championing holistic farming rooted in ecology, soil health and respect for natural rhythms.
Buglife
Protecting pollinators and other vital insects essential to healthy food systems and biodiversity.
The Farm Retail Association (FRA)
Supporting Britain’s farm shops, farmers’ markets and pick-your-own businesses – the backbone of local food.
RSPB Fair to Nature
Recognising farms that deliver for wildlife through sustainable and biodiversity-friendly practices.
The Permaculture Association
Promoting design systems for sustainable living and regenerative food production.
The Royal Countryside Fund
Founded by HM King Charles III to support rural communities, family farms and a thriving countryside.
The Soil Association
Leading the movement for organic food, healthy soil and better animal welfare.
OF&G Organic
Certifying organic farmers and growers to ensure integrity and transparency in food production.
Better Food Traders
Connecting ethical food retailers and encouraging short, fair and climate-friendly supply chains.
Pasture for Life
Supporting farms that raise animals entirely on grass for better flavour, welfare and environmental impact.
A guidebook for people who want fairer food systems
Printslinger will donate 1% of book sales to the SFT. So whether buying a copy of The Farm Shop Guide for yourself or as a birthday or Christmas gift for someone who loves buying local food and supporting fairer food and farming, The Farm Shop Guide will not let you down. To learn more about this book and our other foodie titles, visit our online bookshop on the button below.
