Sustainable Food Network - Herefordshire Food Links

The Bulmer Foundation, whose mission is to enable and demonstrate sustainable development in conjunction with a fundamental shift in our human understanding and values, co-ordinated this project as part of a wider programme of land use and food initiatives.

This project was designed to build capacity among local food and drink producers and processors, by developing and co-ordinating a collaborative network. This network gained the economic advantage of scale and offer consistency and quality with regard to the supply of a range of locally produced food and drink.

The network helped with identified needs, such as: producers were unable to tender for large public sector contracts without training, and public sector purchasers didn’t know where to find local producers. The network was designed to help create these links.

Being a part of this network enabled smaller scale producers (often engaged in environmentally beneficial mixed-farming practices) to compete in markets, which were currently too large or complex and dominated by larger agri-business or imports.

The advantages of the network were:

• Development of new markets
• Making best use of existing markets
• Enhancing potential buyers’ confidence to choose local and sustainable produce, and enabling it to take place
• Promotion of a viable and straightforward local and sustainable produce market

Promotion of the project was through the Bulmer Foundation website, food events and through a local food forum. Public sector buyers were actively encouraged to engage with the wider benefits of local food procurement, so that the price is not the sole determining factor when purchasing decisions are made.

The project was monitored closely, so that the results and evaluation could inform future direction, which would include aspects like greater access to local produce for caterers.

Developing a strong network enabled collaboration with other initiatives, such as Local Food for Schools and the Herefordshire Slow Food Destination project and the Wye Valley AONB “Savour the Wye” initiative. The network involved producers, processors, existing wholesalers and caterers in a drive to achieve a truly sustainable local food economy, by setting the example of an integrated and co-ordinated shortened supply chain.

Peter Norton
The Bulmer Foundation
Tel: (01432) 294115
Email: peter.norton@s-n.com

Website: www.bulmerfoundation.org.uk