Breadcrumbs
Eat The View News Update 29/06/06
Welcome to the latest Eat the View news update! Eat the View is a Countryside Agency initiative about developing the links between consumers purchasing decisions and the conservation of distinctive landscapes, for more information visit: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/ETV/index.asp
NEWS
Shoppers prepared to swap to greener retailers
Some 46% of consumers would change where they shop if a competitor showed more commitment to green and ethical initiatives, according to a survey by Harris Interactive for The Grocer magazine. However, despite the efforts by some multiples recently to improve their green credentials, 42% of those polled thought none of the multiples were committed to being green. The survey found that out of six 'socially responsible' initiatives, recycling and local sourcing were considered the most important, followed by donating food to worthy causes. The co-ops were acknowledged to be doing more than others. Source: The Grocer.
Real Choice: How local foods can survive the supermarket onslaught
New report by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) based upon a study by Caroline Cranbrook carried out over an eight-year period in East Suffolk. It reveals the many benefits that local food networks, or 'food webs', identifies the need for policies to support and develop local food webs, and highlights the role these webs play in safeguarding the character of local landscapes and habitats and sustaining rural communities.
Procuring the Future - the Sustainable Procurement Taskforce National Action Plan
The Sustainable Procurement Task Force, chaired by Sir Neville Simms, launched its National Action Plan - Procuring the Future on Monday 12 June 2006. In response to the report, Defra Secretary of State, David Miliband, has pledged to improve the way the Government buys its goods and services and runs its offices with the aim of becoming a leader in sustainable procurement in Europe by 2009.
Fish & Kids
Launched by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and funded by Defra, Fish & Kids is an initiative that aims to teach children about the importance of protecting the environment and eating fish from sustainable sources, and to tie in with healthy and sustainable fish options on school menus. The project is being piloted in 350 schools across Surrey following its recent launch at St. Andrews School in Cobham. See http://www.fishandkids.org/
Local food cheaper at farm shops
A survey by Farmers Weekly magazine has found that produce bought from local farm shops is cheaper than from supermarkets. On the purchase of a typical bag of family groceries, the cheapest came from a farm shop near Halifax at £56.47; second cheapest came from a farm shop in Taunton (£57.99) and Tesco could only came third at £58.88. Source: Farmers Weekly.
Ethical retailing
Campaigners for Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth say that Marks & Spencer is now Britain's most ethical and environmentally conscious retailer. M&S has outstripped larger competitors by selling "fair trade" cotton T-shirts, coffee and fruit, organic cotton baby clothes, phasing out GM animal feed, and selling ocean-friendly fresh fish. Source: The Independent
Village shops promote local with logo
Four community-owned village shops in West Oxfordshire, Tackley, Finstock, Chadlington and Ascott, are celebrating a brand-new scheme to help promote local food. The scheme, funded by West Oxfordshire Network LEADER+, aims to point customers to food produced by local farmers and producers by identifying products from within a 30 mile radius using a new logo.
School Food Awards
Entries are invited for the Soil Association's School Food Awards. £5000 of kitchen equipment will be awarded to the school which best reflects the spirit of the Soil Association’s Food for Life programme and targets. Jamie Oliver will present the awards at the BBC Good Food Show in November. See http://www.soilassociation.org/
Help with waste for small food businesses
Smaller food businesses and suppliers are being encouraged to get more involved in eco-friendly ways to reduce waste. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is providing new tools and communication ideas across the whole supply chain. See http://www.wrap.org.uk/
Sustainable bird food
The RSPB has recently launched a range of birdfoods that promise to benefit nature conservation, with all the ingredients blended to the RSPB's own recipes and tested on its nature reserves. The packaging is solvent and PVC free, and printing process is environmentally friendly. Source: The Grocer.
EVENTS
11 - 13 July, Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate
See http://www.greatyorkshireshow.org/
1 - 5 August, Great British Beer Festival
See http://www.camra.org.uk/
12 - 13 August, North West Food Lovers Festival
http://www.foodloversfestival.co.uk/stonyhurst/index.htm
14 - 20 August, National Allotment Week
http://www.nagtrust.org/page5.html
19 - 20 August, Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
See http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/garlicfestival.asp
27 August, National Kitchen Garden Day
See http://www.kitchengardeners.org/2005/10/kitchen_garden.html
