Carroll delivers local food message to PM
The food marketing specialist behind a new local food network has taken a delegation to the Houses of Parliament to press for more Government support for grassroots food businesses.
Prime Minister David Cameron talked to food producers and winemakers and was presented with a hamper by members of the fledgling Local Food Britain organisation at a lunchtime showcase for producers from Surrey late last month.
Local Food Britain founder Tracy Carroll told FFD: “The Secretary of State [Defra’s Liz Truss] has said that one of her priorities is to get the country eating more local food and to make sure Britain has high-quality products for export. This will not happen without appropriate support mechanisms being in place.
“Our message to the Government is that we can create a sustainable model that will offer this support without relying on handouts.”
Local Food Britain aims to provide a county-by-county online guide for consumers wanting to shop, dine out and attend food events locally. It began with a Local Food Surrey website, piloted in May, and became Local Food Britain in August. Carroll now aims to roll it out nationally.
“Local Food Britain started in Surrey and so it was appropriate for us to head up the food and drink offering at the Taste of Surrey event organised by Visit Surrey,” she said.
Carroll was accompanied to the event by Chris Robinson of Chalk Hills Bakery in Reigate. He said: “It was a fantastic day and a great opportunity to be able to present real, artisan food to the MPs and ministers at the Houses of Parliament.
“For David Cameron to come along was just the icing on the cake. What Tracy is already achieving in Surrey and Sussex could definitely be rolled out to reach more of the UK – there’s certainly a need. I would like to see the government getting behind it.”
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