Food Festival Can Support Despairing Farmers

'There has never been a more important time to support local producers' say rural economy experts, the CLA, as the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival opens its doors this weekend to showcase some of the best in regional produce.

A torrid few months have seen rural businesses suffer as a result of the summer floods and livestock farmers crippled by foot and mouth restrictions are now facing further pressure following the confirmed outbreak of bluetongue disease.

Julie Robinson, CLA Rural Development Advisor is urging consumers to support their local farmers and producers at this year's food and drink festival.

"Quenby Stilton, Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin and Lincolnshire Sausages are just a few of the regional specialties on offer. If every one of the 20,000 people expected to attend this weekends event replaced just one item in their supermarket trolley with a locally produced item this could make a huge contribution to the success of our local producers."

Supporters of the CLA's local food campaign, 'Just Ask', which encourages the public to ask where their food has come from, will be out in force at the regions largest food and drink festival.

CLA East Midlands Food Advocate and Quenby Stilton producer Freddie de Lisle added:

"The Just Ask campaign fits perfectly with the aims of the festival and we are only too pleased if people ask us questions about the products on our stalls. It is the provenance of what we sell which makes us distinctive and I would urge visitors to think local, act local and buy local."

Supporting the Just Ask campaign at the festival will be Northfield Farm Ltd, Blackbrook Traditional Meat, J Hawley & Sons, Thaymar Icecream, Bouverie Lodge, Quenby Stilton and Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin.