NFU countryside urges consumers to try local

NFU Countryside has launched a campaign asking consumers to 'Support your local food producers!' and make buying locally produced food an essential part of their everyday shopping. When shoppers buy local they help themselves, the environment and their local community.

Mark Howard, NFU Countryside spokesperson, said: "Consumers can improve their diet and nutrition by eating great tasting fresh and seasonal food, as well as getting plenty of choice and variety and an alternative to the supermarkets. By talking to actual food producers they can find out more about the production and origin of their food."

Campaign supporters will also be doing their bit to reduce food miles, helping the environment through less vehicle pollution, noise and fossil fuel use and help to reduce packaging waste. Buying local provides producers with an income that is not tied to supermarkets and supports farmers and farm diversification. It also contributes to local economic development and an increase in employment, keeping money within the local community.

To support the campaign, NFU Countryside is asking shoppers to:

Try and buy from local farmers' markets, farm shops, pick your own schemes and home delivery services.

Visit the NFU Countryside website at www.countrysideonline.co.uk for further information on how to support local food producers, where to find them, talk to others in the online forum and sign an online pledge.

Contact NFU Countryside for a campaign pack containing an information leaflet including the pledge, car sticker and pin badge. Shoppers can call 0870 840 2030, email campaigns@nfucountryside.co.uk or visit their local NFU Mutual Group Office to pick up a pack

Local producers can also contact NFU Countryside for campaign material to distribute within their local communities.

Mr Howard said: "NFU Countryside actively supports the countryside community and that is why we have launched the 'Support your local food producers!' campaign. We would like to see all consumers supporting their local producers, their local economy and their community.

"We are encouraging consumers to show their support for this campaign by making the pledge to 'Support local food producers!' and trying local."