Leicestershire Food Links(LFL).

Presentation by Sue Richardson, March 9

Sue introduced herself by saying that she'd worked and travelled overseas for Christian Aid where food and access to it, whether it be through farming or earned income was an important issue.

In Leicestershire is food sustainable, organic or local, how is it processed and marketed? We were told that this raised issues of power and the vulnerability of the consumer and were asked to consider the role food plays in the local community. Recently Friends of the Earth had organised an event called 'Meeting the farmer' to present what farmers wanted from local food production as it involves economics, sociology and politics.

Leicestershire Food Links was established just over 10 years ago from the pilot project Food Futures, connecting consumers to local farmers. This was organised and funded by the County Council and the Soil Association and ran for 18 months.. Out of this Leicestershire Food Links was established as a not-for-profit-organisation. Sally Hooper was appointed as administrator and is supported by a volunteer committee of both consumer representatives and producers who help with activities. A strong group network exists to address and promote local and excellent quality food. Local? What about fair trade and foods that aren't be grown locally? Excellent' means that there is faith and confidence in the food.

Leicestershire Food Links run 6 Farmers Markets in the County under the umbrella of 'Farmer' .LFL are about to launch the 7^th farmers market in Humberstone Gate, Leicester. LFL also organise and take part in special events and educational presentations.

Leicestershire Food Links is a membership group and has 50 producer members who can see how their interests can be advanced. They also need consumer feedback on the quality, access to and price of foods. Leicestershire Food Links offer specialist training to farmers, such as on the presentation of their foods and on engaging with the public, and also on hygiene training. LFL likes to offer a varied food experience to the public. Local or indigenous food, ie. ostrich, also many vegetables that we use weren't originally local but came from abroad. Cheese such as Lincolnshire Poacher, jams and other cooked food made with produce from the farm, a selection of herbs, chillies and an explanation of many of them and advice on how to grow your own. The Transition group became involved with an apple press and a pasteuriser which they offer to groups.

We were told that there has been a marked decline in the number of small holdings and that knowledge and money is being lost locally. This has an impact on food supply, security and distribution. Many varieties of food have been lost. Seasonality? We can eat most things we want all year round, but hasn't that decreased the quality and experience? There are health implications involved as there are now more food scares related to the way animals are reared, fed and slaughtered, the processing of food and contaminants. People are getting fatter, caused by the way and the type of food we eat. 75% of what we eat comes from just 20 species. We know less and less abut food, are we aware of its seasonality?

Food security: Farming processes exposed to diseases, this leads to a lot of bureaucracy

We are vulnerable as supermarkets and warehouses don't hold large stocks. LFL believe we could become more skilled and enjoy a more humane shopping experience. We could also reduce wastage and at the same time be helping local farmers. LFL has big goals, it wants to work at tackling these.

LFL is represented at food events such as Belgrave Food Festival, country fairs , at schools, community groups and community fairs such as Melton Mowbray, and at specialist events such as Game events where game pies, pates and peeling of birds in which the public were engaged.

We were told that growing your own is a way of de stressing, a way of dealing with psycho-sociological problems. Its also a social activity, gives you physical activity from the bending and stretching involved Anyone can join, get involved in and shop at Farmers Markets, support local food events and ask schools and councils to support Leicestershire Food Links

The range of food is limited so sometimes LFL needs to extend the geographical boundary to 100 miles, ie. hard cheese, such as Lincolnshire Poacher and to some Lincolnshire producers and for fish. LFL stipulate that no artificial colours or flavours are used, that eggs are free range or barn reared.

T Reasons to support local food? Its fresh, products made from local food are delicious and worth paying for, it keeps well, its provenance is known and you can talk to producers, thee is continuity with consumer, less packaging, fewer food miles are just some of the reasons.