The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged the government to ensure that competition right through the grocery supply chain is sustainable.
Making the plea in its submission to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee Inquiry on Food Security, the ACS said the introduction of an ombudsman could boost security.
The ACS added that local stores should be given more information about suppliers in their region and advice on stock and marketing techniques.
Chief executive James Lowman said: “Food security is a vital issue. This Inquiry comes at a time when topics such as food prices, the environmental impact of food production and oil prices have been high on the agenda.
If the government acts on the recommendations that ACS has made today then it will help safeguard the country against food supply issues that may arise in the future.
An action plan should be put in place so that food supplies should be prioritised for local shops if there is a fuel shortage.
The inquiry began last year when food prices rose dramatically and the issue of supply was raised at the World Food Security summit.
Last week, Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George urged Gordon Brown to act quickly and introduce a supermarket ombusman so that small supplies are protected against supermarkets making unfair demands.
