Local Food
Roadshow
As advertised in the last issue of Action Briefing, the Local Food Roadshow visited
us on 26th November. Around 40 of us assembled to hear Becky Tarbotton from ISEC
talk about the effects of globalisation - showing slides of intensive farming
and advertising - and the possibilities for localisation - with slides of local
markets, diverse farms, box schemes etc. It was an inspiring talk with some powerfully
infuriating facts and figures and gave rise to some lively discussion.
After this, news of three local local food schemes: Nick Whittingham from the
Green Party told us about Moseley Farmers' Markets: currently many Market customers
think the market is great, love the products but don't quite understand that
they are taking one of the strongest possible actions to support our global future
and local economies. Both the farmers themselves and the market's organisers
plan to change this with a public education campaign, as well as increasing trade
links between the farms and Moseley community.
Nicci Boore explained the council's attempts at local procurement, often frustrated
by European law on compulsory competitive tendering (English potatoes sent to
Holland to be washed and back to Birmingham schools to be eaten.) and how the
council intends to overcome these obstacles.
Finally Malcolm Currie from Local Exchange Trading Scheme told us of their increasing
links with Top Barn Farm and its far-sighted owners who, already supplying directly
rather than to wholesalers, are also keen to take on further links with the city
in direct selling initiatives and mutual accessibility.
We even practiced what we preached as the evening began with a splendid locally
sourced buffet (Farmers' Market and Alastair's allotment!) for the production
of which we paid excellent chef Birgit in Hearts (a LETS currency). In spite
of a late finish many people stayed after the event to talk to each other and
make new contacts, and nearly as many then headed off to the pub to support the
local brewing industry.
Karen Leach