Breadcrumbs
Eat the View News Update (12/05/04)
Public concern over farmed landscape
A new survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has identified public concerns that the decline in working farms is detrimental to the landscape. The survey also acknowledges the huge investment of time and money made by individual farmers in caring for the countryside. Ian Woodhurst, CPRE's Senior Rural Policy Officer, said: 'The survey results demonstrate how fundamental working farms are to what people really value about the countryside. It is essential, now that payments are no longer tied to production, that a substantial proportion of the money paid to farmers goes towards restoring the character of our landscapes and the biodiversity they sustain.'
New vision for collaboration in farming and food
English Farming and Food Partnership’s (EFFP) recently presented its vision for helping farmers and growers work together with the rest of the food chain to create a secure and profitable future. The EFFP presented an industry-wide strategy on how to develop collaborative activities across the farming and food industry and how to develop world class Farmer Controlled Businesses (FCBs). This strategy is the culmination of six months’ work researching collaboration and outlining the way forward. See: www.effp.com/.
Campers and Caravanners urged to eat local
David Bellamy, President of the Camping and Cavanning Club is encouraging members to seek out local food. In the Club's magazine he says 'rooting out the tastiest morsels from our local cuisine, whether it's oysters freshly caught from Loch Fyne in Scotland or tradition cheese and beer served in my favourite pub in the Durham dales where I live'. He urges others to find high welfare meats, free range eggs and poultry, and regional variations of apples, plums and pears from farm shops and farmers' markets. Source: Retail Farmer.
Local Food for Bradford Schools
New report produced by the Grassroots Food Network detailing the findings of a project, funded by Defra's Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative, aiming to develop opportunities and capacity for local suppliers to bid for Education Contract Services' school meals' contracts. To view and download the report visit: www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/ETV/research/publicprocure.asp.
National Farmers Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) launch
Following the successful merger of the Farm Retail Association and the National Association of Farmers Markets, the new organisation FARMA will be launched at this year's Royal Show (4-7 July). FARMA has also been invited to set-up a farmers' market at the show as part of the Sustainable Farming and Food feature in the concourse between Halls 1 & 2. More info on 0845 230 2150.
Ludlow awarded 'Slow City' status
The Shropshire town of Ludlow is the first in the UK to be awarded full slow city status. A delegation from Italy arrived in the town last month to award the symbol of the snail, denoting "slow city" status. Source: The Times, 16.04.04.
EVENTS
10-12 June 2004: Brighton and Hove Food Festival
Tel: 01435 830116.
11-12 June 2004: Telford Celebration of Local Food and Drink
An annual celebration of local food and drink held in Sherwood Square, Telford Shopping Centre, Telford. Contact Lynn Wood on 01746 785185.
26 June – 11 July 2004: Hampshire Food Festival
Tel: 01962 845999 or see: www.hampshirefare.co.uk.
28 June 2004: Farmers' Markets: Time to Grow
Conference for everyone interested in the future of farmers' markets at The Guildhall, Winchester, Hants. Speakers will be from the UK and USA pooling knowledge and experience of delegates to discuss and debate. Event includes an opportunity to visit Winchester Farmers' Market and attend a local food dinner on Sunday 27 June. Contact: National Farmers and Retail Association (FARMA) for further details on 0845 230 2150.
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.
