The Last Word on Local
FOODLOVER INVESTIGATES THE IMPORTANCE OF WEST COUNTRY PRODUCERS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY
What does the term ‘local food community’ mean to you and why is yours special to you?
If we can build communities around a food culture the world will be a better place. Local food communities are positive for everyone involved, and aside from me wanting to tell people our story only good things can come out of localised supply chains, not only on an environmental level but by strengthening communities and the local economy. The word local can be somewhat misleading nowadays and it does not necessarily mean that it has been produced in a sustainable way. It is a real travesty that we have had to result to down-playing the word organic when this is such an important way forward. The Community farm is extra special to me as it is an area of outstanding natural beauty that my parents left behind and loved so very much, and to be able to share that with so many others is something special. I hope many more people can join us in this project and make a place that remains for the next generation.
What inspires you to support your local producer?
When a local producer is doing things that I admire, I try and support my local shops and services as much as possible.
What are your thoughts on convenience offered by local producers? Convenience is probably a local producer’s biggest obstacle to overcome, as people are so routinely stuck in supporting the supermarkets. There are lots of local producers that actually do provide an excellent service, be it via home deliveries or an amazing local shop. The internet is also one of the biggest challenges facing the supermarkets today, with online sales becoming more convenient than shopping at the supermarket itself. Local producers need to react to this opportunity and offer
58 | THE WEST COUNTRY FOODLOVER
helps create jobs, keeps money in local economies, promotes community development, and can reduce the environmental and public health costs of the food we eat.
How can FOODLOVERS get involved with their food communities?
Luke Hasell - Farmer at The Story Group and Director of The Community Farm
people that choice, as there is no doubt that local products that have less of a supply chain are better for everyone involved.
Is buying local becoming more affordable?
Buying local can be more affordable. I believe that it is about choice, and if you go to the supermarket there is almost too much and you end up buying more than you need. A local box scheme for example can work out cheaper as you look forward to your box arriving, then cooking more quality meals with better produce.
How will a growth in support for local producers benefit the local economy? Councils need to support local producers as the future of our food system becomes ever more delicate. We need new policies aimed at helping local and regional food systems thrive and expand. Local food
Our Community supported agriculture project,
www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk, is just one of many. There are hundreds of CSAs around the country and more and more are coming up with new ideas about how to involve the wider community. At The Story we positively encourage people to come and visit our farms and we believe our business can play a vital role in reconnecting people with their food. We are so proud of our farms, animals and the meat we produce we want to be able to communicate with our customers directly.
Do you feel it’s important that the next generation learn about traceability and food culture? Why? Absolutely, especially taking into account the governments u-turn on genetically modified farming. It is very worrying that minister Owen Paterson can dismiss the potential health risks of GM crops on the basis that consumers have already been exposed to GM through animal feeds. We need to teach the next generation from the grass roots up, and get them out on the farms to understand where their food comes from and how it is produced. This in turn might assist in making our landscapes far more productive to each and every local community, by encouraging everyone to care more about what is put on their plate and shaking the hand that feeds them. By supporting local producers today, you are helping ensure that there will be farms in our community tomorrow. F
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