Breadcrumbs
Eat The View News Update 22/08/06
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
What assures consumers?
New report from AccountAbility and the National Consumer Council investigating the need for better approaches to assuring consumer concerns. It argues that if consumers are going to play a part in supporting more responsible business behaviour, then corporate responsibility has to go beyond the limits of a niche of committed ethical consumers to mainstream 'responsible consumerism'. The findings for a study to inform the report reveals that 90% of UK consumers oppose cage egg production and 80% support reducing food miles, but that only 50% buy free-range eggs and only 25% look at country of origin labels. See http://www.accountability.org.uk/
Brits 'not worried about food miles'
Most Britons do not care where their fruit and vegetables come from, are not motivated to buy British, and don't consider 'food miles' in their purchases, according to a new survey conducted by the British Market Research Bureau. The study found 61 per cent of people are not concerned which country their food came from, with only 9 per cent describing themselves as 'very concerned' and 30 per cent 'fairly concerned' about the issue. While 54 per cent of the over-50s said they regularly or always buy produce grown in this country, just 32 per cent of 25-34s do so. Source: The Guardian
Eating biodiversity
The first results from the Eating Biodiversity project run by the Institute of Grassland & Environmental Research, and Bristol, Gloucestershire, and Exeter Universities have shown that lamb from species-rich pasture has greater potential health benefits and eating qualities. They reveal that the lamb has higher Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acid levels compared to those reared on semi-improved grassland. The lamb was also tested by a tasting panel which revealed consumers can tell the difference in the taste of lamb, reared on different types of pasture including moorland and saltmarsh. The next stage of the research will focus on milk and beef. Source: Farmers Weekly.
Healthy eating landscapes
Food consumption patterns would change dramatically if everyone ate a healthy diet, according to researchers at the University of Reading. If everyone followed official guidelines for healthy eating, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables would increase by 50%, whilst consumption of cheese would decrease by 75%. The research also helps to assess how much agriculture and land use would need to adjust. See http://www.extra.rdg.ac.uk/news/details.asp?ID=682
Selling to the public sector
New leaflet explaining how farmers and growers can take advantage of opportunities to supply food to the public sector either directly or indirectly via the supply chain of a primary supplier. It includes short case studies showing how small and local producers have worked successfully with the public sector and lists useful sources of further information and advice. See http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/sellingpublic.htm
Youngsters unfamiliar with traditional dishes
A survey by UK TV Food has discovered that British dishes handed down from generation to generation in the past 1,000 years are a source of bafflement to the young. Only one in 100 twenty-somethings recognised bath chaps, a once popular meal of pigs' cheeks smoked like bacon and rolled in breadcrumbs. The pattern was repeated across a range of traditional and regional fare. Source: The Independent
Taste for cider driving orchard revival
The revival of cider as a fashionable drink has brought a turn-around in the fortunes of apple growers after decades of decline, with new trees are being planted to keep up with demand. Traditional cider apple trees are also being helped by the growth in the organic market. Ivor Dunkerton, of the Dunkerton cider company, said: "We have just had two of the busiest months ever, selling upwards of 40,000 bottles a month." Source: The Daily Telegraph.
New distribution system for West Midlands' regional food
Regional food group, Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF), is to launch an online system to help small producers distribute their products. HEFFroads (Route Organiser And Distribution Sharing) enables companies to share transportation, cut costs and open up new supply chains. It should also help to cut food miles at a time when the food industry is under pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Source: The Grocer
Friends of local food campaign
The National Farmers Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) has recently launched a new campaign encouraging shoppers to support the local food agenda. Thousands of leaflets have been printed in an effort to get a real push from shoppers at direct-sales outlets. See http://www.farma.org.uk/
South Downs Lamb is a hit
Branded South Downs Lamb has proved such a hit with local shoppers that it has doubled its throughput in less than a year. The branded lamb is now sold in 30 butchers in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey. A sister scheme to sell beef from Sussex cross-cattle is also proving a success. Source: The Grocer
New Food & Craft Association for Isle of Wight
A new organisation, Island Food & Craft Association (IFCA), has been established to form the hub for all things to do with local food and crafts on the island. It will develop a range of initiatives including developing the island as a 'food tourism' destination. Contact: Robin Oulton on 01983 865 720.
EVENTS
7 - 8 October, East Midlands Food and Drink Festival
7 - 15 October, Exmoor Food Festival
8 October, Forest Showcase
The tastiest event in the Forest of Dean, see http://www.visitforestofdean.co.uk/see.htm
13 - 22 October, Norwich Food Festival
See http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/food-festival.aspx
21 October, Apple Day
See http://www.commonground.org.uk/
21 - 22 October, Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival, Hereford Race Course
Food pavilion with over 60 independent food and drink producers, farmers’ market. celebrity guest chefs Sophie Grigson and John Torode, Slow Food Herefordshire tutored tastings, and free transport links to Herefordshire Cider making Festival. To find out more visit http://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/
27 - 28 October, Food Feast, Malborough
See http://www.visitkennet.co.uk/features/food-fest/
28 - 29 October, Great Peak District Fair in Buxton
See http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/looking-after/nee/pdfair.htm
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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.
