Over 85 diners enjoyed a 3 course meal at The Bookshop Hereford in the last of three “100% Herefordshire” Autumn Feasts on Tuesday 14 November.

As well as great local food they were treated to a surprise announcement that the County has achieved a Bronze award from Sustainable Food Places - recognising the collaboration and hard work that’s gone into all areas of the food system in Herefordshire, from food banks through community gardens to restaurants and farming. 

The dinner included nose-to-tail lamb from Wye Organic who are pasture-fed certified farmers near the River Wye.  Diners heard of the importance of good soil and diverse pasture and enjoyed a foraged salsa verde alongside, with cheesy cauliflower and carbon positive potatoes.

Dessert was a nutty meringue with Kelsmor Dairy ice cream, farmers Mark and Susan were also dining so came armed with reinforcements for the extras! In all, more than 16 local suppliers were involved in the event and the vast majority of all the courses was sourced from within the county, from farms using methods that support Herefordshire countryside and rivers.

Rebecca Tully, Herefordshire Food Alliance

We’ve been blown over by how popular this dinner was - we were squeezing people in every corner! It’s been joyous connecting with all the producers, and heartening knowing how many people want to enjoy proper local food that builds nature and our rivers.  The Bronze Award is a recognition that working together is making an impact - we hope we can put many more suppliers of great local food on the map!

Dorian Kirk, The Bookshop

It was great to work with so many high quality local producers, we were glad to use our skills to build their profile - and also to see our beautiful space so full of people who care just as much as us about sustainable food.

Kitty Stainsby of Wye Organic, Pasture-for-Life certified Lamb served in the main course.

I love selling my food directly to those who are going to eat it - such a great opportunity to get to know how their food is produced, to ask questions and to connect with farming. I am so proud of how I farm and the wonderful food we produce and have been so excited to be involved with this feast - 100% Herefordshire and 100% river friendly, just like us!

Richard Tyler, Diner 

The food was SO scrummy and the atmosphere truly wonderful!

Matt Pearce, Director of Public Health

Herefordshire Food Alliance has shown just what can be achieved when creative and committed people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live. While there is still much to do and many challenges to overcome, Herefordshire Food Alliance has helped to set a benchmark for other members of the UK Sustainable Food Places Network to follow. We look forward to working with them over the months and years ahead to continue to transform place’s food culture and food system for the better.

To find out more about the award winners, visit The Sustainable Food Places website

For further information, visit the Herefordshire Food Alliance website.