New directory is food for thought

A new edition of the Staffordshire Local Food Directory is now available to help people find fresh produce close to home.

With more and more householders, restaurants and pubs turning to local sources, the fourth edition of the publication lists over 100 of Staffordshire's food and drink-producing businesses.

It includes everything from popular beers and wines to award-winning cheeses, succulent meats and traditional Staffordshire oatcakes. The directory also lists locally-grown vegetables and farm fresh dairy produce.

According to Stafford Borough Council, which has produced the directory, the benefits of buying locally include keeping money in the local economy, cutting 'food miles' and reducing the amount of packaging and waste involved in the products. As well as listings of local producers and useful contacts, the directory also contains a map and information on Staffordshire's Farmers' Markets, plus a look at topical issues. These include food miles and cutting carbon, farming and wildlife, animal welfare, food packaging and healthy eating.

There is also a new section of healthy recipes based on local, seasonally-available ingredients.

Karen Davies, Stafford Borough Council's sustainable and healthy communities co-ordinator, said: "The new directory reflects popular concern about healthy eating and sustainable food production and will be an invaluable guide to anyone seeking to buy local, fresh, quality – and low carbon food.

"Since we produced the first edition of the directory in 2003, sustainable farming and food production has gone right up the agenda – with help from topical TV programmes and support from real food campaigners like Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Jimmy Doherty."

The directory is available from local authorities, libraries and Tourist Information centres across the county. The directory is also available on the borough council's website at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd

Jo Lloyd, member of the Staffordshire Local Food Directory steering group, added: "It represents a really informative, accessible and thorough guide to local food."