In this paper I focus on the emergence of discrete food policy approaches throughout the UK over the last decade. I review key developments and argue that greater awareness of, and engagement with, policy making is crucial to understandings of contemporary food debates and adds to understandings of the changing alternative and mainstream food systems. The development of food policies by the UK government and the administrations of Wales and Scotland are explored through convention theory. The analysis suggests that the creation and existence of a food policy, expressing what is effectively a common good, are of more strategic value than the actual policy content. The challenge to existing food ‘policy competency’ (the power to legislate) can be identified as a strategic disruption to existing food governance practices. This is particularly the case when the multiple roles adopted by policy makers are considered in relation to the justification and evaluation of policy approaches.
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