Breadcrumbs
Eat The View News Update 19/09/06
Connection with local food and farming 'makes you happy'
New research has discovered that involvement in community farms, market gardens and vegetable box schemes not only reward people with pleasurable eating but also make them happier. Conducted by Coventry, Warwick, and Hull universities and Birkbeck College, the project ‘Reconnecting consumers, food and producers’ found that alternative networks are thriving throughout the country and that people choose these alongside shopping from more common sources. It also found that people gain a great sense of satisfaction and reward from interacting personally with the people producing their food. Source: BBC/personal communication
All Waitrose UK farms get LEAF certification
All of Waitrose's non-organic British fruit and vegetables are now grown on farms that have been certified by the Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf) Marque scheme. Food buyer, Mary Vizoso said "We are committed to furthering the production of food that has provenance and integrity, and the marque is a signpost to customers of the high environmental standards by which produce has been grown". A new TV campaign is planned which will focus on the benefits for rare British species such as dormice, voles, and weasals. Source: The Grocer.
Greening supermarkets
New report by the National Consumer Council on how supermarkets can help make greener shopping easier. The report includes a rating of the top eight retailers on a range of consumer-focused environmental indicators. Although in recent months some have begun initiatives to cut waste and plastic bag use, to stock more local and seasonal produce and use more green energy, one scored well on all NCC's indicators. The Council want supermarkets to make responsible consumers of everyone by making green products the norm, not the exception. See http://www.ncc.org.uk/
Local, traditional diet 'better than Mediterranean'
A study involving 5000 women in Holland has indicated that the healthiest diets may actually be ones based on local, traditionally eaten foods, provided these contain a plentiful variety of fruit and vegetables. The study was conducted as part of a larger pan-European EPIC study on diet and cancer, and identified detailed components of dietary intake. The results were compared to other studies of people's Mediterranean diets, finding it works best for people living by the Mediterranean, but may be of little value in Northern Europe. Source: Food Magazine
Good start to Healthy Start
A government initiative designed to encourage healthy eating among the less wealthy has got off to a good start, with hundreds of retailers signing up, say the Department of Health. Under the Healthy Start scheme, low income families are offered vouchers to exchange for milk, fresh fruit and vegetables. Tony Misson, of Riverford Home Delivery, which delivers organic produce in the South West said, "The redemption process is quick and simple with the funds being paid directly into our bank within a few days". Source: The Grocer
One in three shoppers buy organic food
More than one in three Britons will buy organic food over the next month, according to a YouGov study commissioned by Sainsbury's. One in ten will buy organic fast food such as pizza and ready meals. The study also showed that 31% of lower income households were buying organic food, and that organic items were no longer the domain of the rich. Other statistics include attitudes of men and women to organic food and regional variations in shopping habits. Source: Sainsbury's
Connecting land and people through food
A new project ‘Community Enterprise: connecting Land and People through Food’ has received a £90,000 grant from the Big Lottery’s Changing Spaces programme to develop plans to run a series of projects to link communities to producers and help people access healthy, local food. Partners include The Plunkett Foundation, Co-operativesUK, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Soil Association, Food Links UK and Country Markets. See http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
Health benefits of organic milk
A group of scientists has called on the Food Standards Agency to acknowledge that organic milk is healthier than the conventional pint. The 14 veterinary and public health researchers have written to the FSA claiming that there is compelling evidence that organic milk is a richer source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids and that official advice should reflect this. Source: Soil Association
Peak District Butchers
A new initiative has been launched in the Peak District where local butchers sign up to using a new logo and branding for meat from the area's farmers, who have evidenced their commitment to the environment by obtaining the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark or participating in an environmental stewardship scheme. See http://www.derby.ac.uk/
Cornish Fishing & Seafood
New book by Carol Trewin and Adam Woolfitt celebrating seafood and seafishing in Cornwall. It uses the words of fishermen and others to tell their story, and includes over 20 recipes from top chefs. Published on 28 September by Alison Hodge, see http://www.alison-hodge.co.uk/
Premiums for Organic Cornish Wool
Organic sheep farmers can now make more from their wool, following the launch of a new Cornish wool spinning company. Cornish Organic Wool is seeking certified organic flocks and will pay a premium over the British Wool Marketing Board price. See http://www.cornishorganicwool.co.uk/
Defra backs 'Year of Farming and Food'
Defra has given its backing to the idea of a Year of Farming and Food in schools in 2007/8 to help give children a better understanding of where their food comes from and how its been produced. Source: DfES
Reed-beds for abattoir
A Lancashire abattoir will save £4500 a week after creating its own reed-bed filtration system. Last week saw the first water trickle into the system after approval by the Environment Agency. Source: Farmers Weekly
New website to promote adding value
A new website has been created to promote the adding value to products and sale through farm shops or farmers markets. See http://www.country-enterprise.co.uk/
And finally,
Dairy farmers in the west country have noticed a distinctive Somerset twang to their herds' mooing. Members of the West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers believe their own regional accent has influenced their cows' pitch and tone, so they now moo with an 'oo-arr'. Source: Agra Europe
EVENTS
7 - 8 October, Autumn Feast Food & Craft Festival, Skipton Auction Mart
See http://www.autumnfeast.co.uk
13 - 15 November, Annual FARMA conference, Torquay
The annual conference of the National Farmers Retail and Markets Association,
see http://www.farma.org.uk/
22 - 23 November, Rural Social Enterprise, Somerset
The theme for this year's conference is local food and rural social enterprise, contact Mike Perry mike.perry@plunkett.co.uk
22- 26 November, BBC Good Food Show, Birmingham
See http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com
29 November, National Food Links UK conference, Peterborough
Local food at the crossroads: Celebration, challenge, opportunity
See http://www.foodlinks-uk.org
