Whether you are a producer or consumer who has a passion for local food and rural issues, and I suspect because you are searching this website you are… please take a moment search to the links.  You will find a wealth of information on many subjects that supports the local food and farming economy.

I have just added a front-page link to www.food.gov.uk This link answers a lot of questions on key subjects; on food labelling, nutrition, science & research and a lot more.   The debate on organics continues but the common sense rationale of livestock reared sensitively on a wholesome diet with no additives, balanced against intensively reared livestock fattened to table weight in the shortest period, must surely prevail. Read the views of the FDA and make up your own mind…  How can you help?  Support your local Farmers’ Market.

Carole Skidmore

The Children’s Food Campaign wants to improve young people’s health and well-being through better food – and food teaching – in schools and by protecting children from junk food marketing.  We are supported by over 300 organisations and 12,000 members of the public.

Visit www.childrensfoodcampaign.org.uk

Among Hertford’s Grade II listed buildings are many specialist shops, restaurants and ancient pubs, and once a month 30 farmers descend upon the market town’s cobbled streets to present their produce.

But these are no ordinary farmers and this is no ordinary farmers’ market. Thanks to East Herts District Council’s Grown in Herts project, funded by EEDA, the producers are given training to help them make the most of their stalls.

“We decided that it wasn’t enough to just give farmers the opportunity to sell their produce in Hertford town centre every second Saturday and leave them to get on with it,” says Carole Skidmore, Project Development Manager, and Grown in Herts. “We wanted to support them with sales skills, for example, to make sure they really make it a success for everyone involved.”

Enjoying food and drink from the East of England

Eating healthily and wherever possible buying from local suppliers is becoming ever more important to many people. In this month’s regular column from East Herts Council, we look at some of the initiatives to support food businesses in East Herts and across the region.

How important are food and drink businesses to the region?