independent Cornish news and comment

Caradon: CONFERENCE BOOST FOR SOUTH EAST CORNWALL’S SPECIALIST FOOD PRODUCERS

The profile of small local food producers in South East Cornwall is set to receive a boost from a one day conference bringing together regional policy makers with the producers themselves.


Eighty key players are to attend the Creating Sustainable Rural Communities conference at National Trust’s Cotehele property on Friday 23 March. Organised by Caradon District Council, Duchy Agricultural College and the Cornish Guild of Smallholders, the aim is to improve future levels of funding for the sector as well as ensuring that small local food producers have a say in future policies affecting them.

Councillor Roger Philp, Caradon’s farming ambassador, said: “South East Cornwall has a wealth of small specialist food producers creating some of the finest fare in the country. One local cheesemaker even supplies Fortnum and Mason in London.

“We want this significant sector of our local food market to flourish. Food production and the sustainability of rural communities are closely linked. When people and organisations buy local food, money goes straight back into the local economy, helping to make our district prosperous.”

Local MPs and representatives from agencies such as Natural England, South West Regional Development Agency, Government Office South West, the Objective One Partnership, The Eden Project, the Federation of Small Businesses, Somerset Food Links, economic regeneration organisations and other stakeholders have all been invited to attend.

The day will include a talk by Joy Cheeseman of the Cornish Guild of Smallholders and artisan cheesemaker Sue Proudfoot on how the guild’s support helped Sue’s cheeses catch the eye of one of the country’s premier food retailers.

Roy Heath from Cornwall NHS Partnership will speak on Treliske Hospital’s decision to use local food, while Dominic Ackland will discuss the setting up of Torbay’s Occombe Farm shop and learning centre.

Julia Proctor from the National Trust, which has a new food policy, will give a talk on the National Trust’s work with its own tenant farmers.

Graham Harvey, author of Killing of the Countryside and We Want Real Food, will make the case for improving health by actively replacing the nutrients stripped from the soil by farm chemicals, and Charlotte Hollins will explain the remarkable transformation of a private farm to a community land initiative by selling shares in the venture.

In the afternoon delegates will have the opportunity to attend workshops on the multiplier effect, healthy communities, environmental sustainability and the presenting, marketing and selling local produce.

All of the food for the conference comes from local suppliers and includes pork from Primrose herd, beef from Haye Farm, cheeses from Whalesborough Farm Foods, Davas and Tamaracott Cheeses.

Ends

Media enquiries contact:
Elaine Barr, Caradon Integrated Area Plan, on 01579 324106