Grocers to promote local food (From Gazette & Herald)

Grocers to promote local food

LOCAL food is to come under the spotlight at an event in Harrogate.

The Yorkshire Independent Grocers Association (YIGA) is to offer people the chance to taste and buy local produce from both farmhouse producers and larger companies. The event, known as Yorkshire Food and Drink 2004, will be held in the spa town in February.

Supporting groups, including DEFRA, the NFU, Countryside Agency and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, will be offering advice for producers and retailers at the show. And the winners of YIGA's annual Local Shop Awards will be announced at a special Valentine's Ball on February 14.

Peter Brant, secretary of YIGA, said: "This event is about raising awareness and making the contacts which puts this food on Yorkshire tables, whether that's at home, in school or in our hotels and restaurants."

Representatives from local authorities and primary health care trusts will also be attending the event to look at how they can make greater use of locally-produced food.

Mr Brant said: "We can help develop partnerships between producers so that they can deliver food in the quantities which are required by schools and hospitals. By bringing all sides of the industry together in one place, we can smooth out a lot of the supply chain issues which put some retailers off stocking local food."

Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, January 28, 2004