Support local farmers and butchers in Sausage Week, says FUW

Sion Jones with family farmer and butcher Ben Evans of Llanon butchers
Sion Jones with family farmer and butcher Ben Evans of Llanon butchers

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today called on people to support their local farmers and butchers by tucking into wonderful Welsh bangers during next week’s annual British Sausage Week (November 3-9).

In a bid to raise the profile and highlight the benefits of locally-produced food, Aberystwyth-based FUW head office staff will be holding a Welsh banger bap morning on Thursday November 6 to celebrate delicious home-grown food and local produce.

Sausages for the event have been sponsored by Llanon family butcher Ben Evans, who also runs a 290-acre beef and sheep farm on the outskirts of the mid-Ceredigion village.

The butchers shop, just 15 miles from the FUW head office, has been under Ben’s watchful eye for over 34 years and was previously run by his uncle Glyn Jones for 38 years. The meat sold in the shop comes from local farms, with the pork for the sausages being slaughtered in Tregaron just 13 miles away.

Tying up loose ends- butchers apprentice Sion Jones preparing pork and apple sausages at the family run Llanon butchers
Tying up loose ends- butchers apprentice Sion Jones preparing pork and apple sausages at the family run Llanon butchers

“Sausage Week is an ideal opportunity for us to highlight the importance of supporting local farm businesses, cutting food miles and being very clear about what it is we are consuming and where it comes from,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

Through its latest campaign “Supporting Family Farms Since 1955?, which coincides with this year’s UN International Year of Family Farming, the FUW is further highlighting the potential role family farmers can make to eradicate hunger, preserve natural resources and promote sustainable development.

“The taste, quality and diversity of the traditional Welsh sausage is definitely worth celebrating and we take the opportunity to remind people how important it is to support the local economy.

“Sausage Week is another great opportunity to bring the whole family together for a delicious supper,” added Mr Jones.