Local food 'transforms' economies

Transporting food takes money away from farmers

Pressure is being put on the government to encourage people to buy locally-produced food.

A new report by the Soil Association, based in Bristol, says it could generate millions of pounds for struggling rural and urban areas of the UK.

The Local Food Routes report quotes research in Cornwall, showing how £10 spent on local produce actually generates £25 within the area.

It also tells how the Isle of Skye is transforming its economy with delivery schemes and how London allotment holders are earning cash from their vegetables.

Vanishing money

The report calls for measures to encourage small abattoirs and dairies, grants to small producers, and a rethink on planning rules to allow more types of food business in farm buildings.

It also calls for schools, councils and catering businesses to source local produce where possible.

The report supports local supply schemes

The organisation wants government policies to stimulate local production and distribution of food.

The Cornish research shows how money earned by a grower is likely to be spent within the local area - with another trader who will also spend much of it locally, and so on.

But £10 spent at a supermarket sees only £14 reinvested in the local economy.

Much of it filters through to distributors in other parts of the country or even overseas with supermarkets doing much of their own spending nationally.

The Cornish research showed the county's finances would rocket by £1m a week if every consumer, tourist and business pledged just 1% of spending to Cornish products.

The new Soil Association report also urges consumers to support "organic box" schemes, in which customers pay a weekly fee to a grower and receive whichever vegetables are in season.

Such schemes generate about £30 million for UK businesses each year.

Farmers' markets are also cited as a means of keeping money within a locality.

High-rise customers

The report claims buyers can also benefit from fresher produce.

It tells how residents of high-rise estates in Scotland enjoy fresh vegetables, thanks to a producers' co-operative in the Forth Valley.

Allotment growers in east London are supplying food for community cafes, it says.

The association also points to Skye, in Scotland, as an area that is transforming its food culture.

A delivery service to hotels and restaurants offers fresh seafood, locally raised and slaughtered lamb, dairy products and vegetables.