Breadcrumbs
Eat The View News Update (21/04/06)
Opportunities for local food
Research by the Institute of Grocery Distribution on behalf of Food from Britain has found an increasing desire for greater awareness of the origins and traceability of the food and drink, and that this has resulted in consumers purchasing more local and regional produce. It reveals that 65% of consumers now buy local food, up from 61% last year, with a further 9% saying they would like to. The report 'Retail and Foodservice Opportunities for Local Food' is available via, http://www.igd.com/CIR.asp?menuid=146&cirid=1900
Use of Terms and Country of Origin labels 'still misleading'
The Food Standards Agency has published the results of two studies. One study investigated consumer understanding of widely-used marketing terms such as original, traditional, home-made, real, handmade, etc. It found that consumers have a degree of scepticism concerning the use of terms. The FSA has also published the results of research into Country of Origin labelling which reveals almost a third of retailer meat products carry inadequate CoO labelling. See http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2006/feb/label
Smarter food procurement in the public sector
National Audit Office report showing how public sector bodies can maintain or improve the quality of the meals they serve while controlling or reducing their costs and, in doing so, focuses on measures which can also benefit, or at least have neutral impacts on, levels of customer service, sustainability, and nutritional quality. See http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/0506963_I.pdf
Shoppers Guide to Green Labels
First published in 2003 for Defra, and recently updated, this is a fold out credit card-sized leaflet explaining the meaning of green labels and logos commonly found on products. To download a copy, go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consumerprod/shopguide/index.htm
Sainsbury's Savour the Flavour
Vegetable growers in the West Midlands are seeing their produce appear in local Sainsbury's stores under a new local food range. Seasonal vegetables from local farmers will be promoted in 25 stores under the 'Savour the Flavour' brand developed by regional food group, Heart of England Fine Foods. Source: The Grocer
Coop research
The Cooperative Bank has found that the proportion of consumers considering the environmental impact of their purchasing has increased by 11% to 66%. The research finds that £3.4 billion of spending in 2004 can be attributed to consumers wishing to do something to counter climate change. See http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/
EVENTS
7 - 15 May, Christchurch Food Festival
See http://www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk/
18 - 20 May, Devon County Show
See http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/home.asp
27 May - 4 June, English Wine Week
See http://www.englishwineweek.co.uk/
29 May, Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling
See http://www.cheese-rolling.co.uk/
31 May - 3 June, Royal Bath & West Show
See http://www.bathandwest.com/
Inclusion in this news update does not imply approval or endorsement of the items or events by The Countryside Agency. All information in this email has been checked and believed to be correct, but cannot be so guaranteed. The Agency does not necessarily support or endorse the views, ideas, products or services on any site to which it provides a link.
