CLA Campaign reaches out to Darlington Shoppers

Dr Charles Trotman, the CLA's Rural Economy Adviser and driver of the organisation's progressive food policy, took to the streets of Darlington last Friday (20 July) as he hoped to encourage people to Just Ask where the food on their plate comes from when they eat out.

By taking a stall at Darlington Farmers Market, Dr Trotman, with the CLA's Sarah Clegg and Robin Bullivant, managed to talk with many of the hundreds of visitors to the popular market, and the feedback, says Dr Trotman, was very encouraging.

Dr Trotman said: "Sourcing local food is no longer simply a rural issue, and it important that we get the message out to many more people. Any shift towards fresh, wholesome, local produce produced to high environmental and welfare standards, and with few food miles is welcome, but it must ultimately be driven by the consumer. That's why we came to a busy market like Darlington, and we were encouraged by the many people who agreed with what we had to say.

"Hopefully the restaurants, pubs and cafes around Darlington will notice an increase in the number of people asking where their food comes from. And hopefully they will have the answers."

The CLA also held a free prize draw for CLA Game Fair Tickets. With the cancellation of this event, caused by the exceptional wet weather, the winner will instead receive a year's complimentary "Friends of the Countryside" membership.