Defra/EM227/0231 October 2002 British Food Fortnight
Fresh Farm Produce Just a Click Away for Nottinghamshire Residents
Rutland Venison, Stilton cheese and Fen grown vegetables are just some of the fresh East Midlands produce that Nottinghamshire residents can access by phone, fax, email, and soon over the internet, thanks to a business set up by Bingham arable farmer David Rose who''s just received a grant of over a quarter of a million pounds from Defra.
UK Countrylife received £293,065 under the ''Marketing of Quality Agricultural Products'' measure of Defra''s Rural Enterprise Scheme to extend their existing business, delivering a complete range of farm-fresh local products and ready-meals direct to the customer, either at home or work. The company will use some of the grant to create a wholesale business and to develop a local supplier network using existing amenities such as post offices, pubs and farm shops to distribute the food around the East Midlands.
Some of the money will also be used to develop a website - a virtual farm shop - which will help meet the needs of customers that want to eat good quality local produce but struggle to visit farmers'' markets or farm shops in person.
David Rose, said:
"The idea of a virtual farm shop means anyone can access farm-fresh foods from the East Midlands. Customers can have confidence in knowing where their food has come from, that they are reducing unnecessary food miles, and that they are helping local producers by dealing with them more directly. With the Defra grant we are able to bring the products to more customers than ever in the East Midlands".
Andy Whitehead, of Defra''s Rural Development Service in the East Midlands, says:
"This project is in line with many of the recommendations made in the Curry report into the future of farming and food. It''s providing an outlet for local producers, enabling them to get a good price for their products, and providing the community with a place to buy high quality local produce, contributing to a more sustainable, diversified and enterprising rural economy ".
Notes to Editors: UK Countrylife currently have a home distribution centre in Upper Broughton and kitchens in Car Colston, near Bingham
Photographs are available by contacting Helen Clarke. See below.
For more information on the project please contact David Rose on 01949 20642 For an order form please call 0800 169 7009 or email: order@farmshop.net
1.The Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) is part of the England Rural Development Programme. Its coverage is wide-ranging with the primary aim being to help farmers adapt to changing markets and develop new business opportunities. But RES also has a broader role in supporting the development of the rural economy, community, heritage and environment so other rural businesses, partnerships, companies and rural community groups are also eligible to receive funding.
2.A total of £152 million of EU and Government money has been allocated to RES from April 2001 to 2006. The scheme is available throughout England, except in designated Objective 1 areas such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly where separate funding schemes apply.
3.The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) provides a framework for the operation of 10 separate but integrated schemes which provide new opportunities to protect and improve the countryside, to develop sustainable enterprises and to help rural communities to thrive. As well as the RES, the schemes (and a brief outline of their aims) are:
Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes (protecting landscapes and wildlife habitats, improving biodiversity). Organic Farming Scheme (promoting organic production). Hill Farm Allowance (supporting sustainable farming in the English hills). Woodland Grant and Farm Woodland Premium Schemes (encouraging planting of new woodland and maintenance of existing woodland). Energy Crops Scheme (encouraging renewable energy production). Vocational Training Scheme (improving occupational skills of farmers). Processing and Marketing Grant (improving agricultural processing and marketing infrastructure).
A total of £1.6 billion of EU and Government money is being made available under these schemes in England during the 7 years (2000 to 2006) of the Programme.
4.For more information on the Rural Enterprise Scheme, or any of the other schemes in the England Rural Development Programme, contact your local Defra Rural Development Service office or visit the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk.
5.British Food Fortnight aims to:
* build awareness that supporting seasonal products or products produced in small volumes by regional speciality producers will contribute to the well being of our farms, small rural businesses and independent shops, and reduce ''food miles'' by strengthening local food networks and creating the shortest chain between producer and consumer.
* discourage the purchase of cheaper, lower quality foods, particularly in preference to British foods in season, and
* preserve local independent retailing and catering by encouraging consumers to buy regional speciality food and drink from small shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants.
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