There is a growing understanding that money spent locally benefits the economy far beyond the rural shop with the local food sector delivering benefits for social inclusion, health and the protection of our landscape.

 

Consumers have a choice between using local shops and businesses and helping them thrive or spending their money out of town and losing them. The South Kerryer Local Food Guide was launched in July to promote food producers, farm shops and farmers’ markets – making it easy for people to shop locally.

 

The guide was put together by volunteers from Transition Helston spearheaded by Bernie Doeser from Ashton. Bernie explained: “We put the guide together to promote local food as a way of reducing the community’s carbon footprint.”

 

“The guide has complete listings of farmers’ markets in West Cornwall as well as many of the farm shops and producers, and is available from many outlets and B&Bs across the area for just £1.”

 

Current research shows that every £10 spent with a local food initiative is worth around £25 to the local economy, compare with just £14 when spent in a supermarket chain. There is a common misconception that shopping for food locally costs a lot more than using the supermarket but basket comparisons done by the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project have shown this to be untrue.

 

“In almost every way buying your food locally has been proven to be a good thing – less food miles, less packaging, healthy fresh seasonal food, it supports small businesses and keeps money circulating in the local economy.” Bernie added.

 

“The South Kerryer Local Food Guide is a great way for people to find their way around the local food scene in West Cornwall. There are tonnes of great products and producers out there making some of the best food in the country – we just wanted to get the message out to as many people as possible with this guide.”

 

If you are interested in stocking the South Kerryer Local Food Guide or finding out where to buy it from please contact Bernie Doeser on 01736 763876 or visit www.transitionhelston.org.uk/foodguide

 

For more information about the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project please visit www.wcfm.org.uk or call Victoria Amran on 07787 561770.