Dorset Food
Food and agriculture is an essential part of Dorset’s economy, landscape and culture. We aim to support the local production and consumption of food in Dorset because it is more sustainable in terms of the environment, economy and community.
Buying Dorset’s Local food benefits the whole county…
Economically - greater employment opportunities for local people and the retention of more money in the area
Socially - improved diets as local food is often more nutritious, increased opportunities for the community to be involved in food production, the revitalisation of services such as village shops and also a better understanding of the links between health, food and the environment.
Environmentally - reduction in ‘food miles’ (how far food has traveled from production to plate) the encouragement of more sustainable farming practices and the preservation of locally distinctive landscapes and traditional skills and culture.
Local food facts
- Every £10 spent with a local food business is worth £25 for the local area, compared with £14 spent in the supermarket.
- A study of three farms in the local food sector revealed that on average 48% of food produced was sold within 15 miles of the farms.
- More than twice as many enterprises involved in the local food sector are involved in waste reduction practices compared to those outside the sector.
(Information from New Economics Foundation and FLAIR)
How can you help the local food economy?
- Look out for products that are local and in season
- Join a produce box scheme and use local retailers, farm shops and farmers markets for your food shopping
- Ask if your retailer - butcher, greengrocer, delicatessen - buys their products from local producers
- On holiday, or whenever you visit the countryside, look for local produce to buy
- Ask if your pub lunch or restaurant meal includes fresh or seasonal local ingredients
- Pick up a local food directory from your library, tourist information centre or council
- Ask your supermarket to stock more identifiable local products
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For more information on local food try these links:
Big Barn
Chalk and Cheese
Direct from Dorset
Farm Shopping
Farmers' Markets
Local Foodworks
Sustainweb
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