Local towns, local food - strengthening local economies

20 June 2012 10:00 - 20 June 2012 16:00

Shine Conference Centre, Harehills Road Leeds, Leeds, LS8 5HS

Campaign to Protect Rural England in partnership with Sustain: The alliance for better food & farming are hosting an event that will examine the role and revival of towns as local food centres and how creating a strong local food web (the connections between people who produce sell and buy locally-sourced food in a local area food) can:

• boost the local economy
• improve access to high quality fresh produce
• foster local distinctiveness
• bring communities together

This conference will explore how local food activists, sector professionals, local councillors and officers (at all levels: parish, town, district, borough, city, and county) and the people involved in local food initiatives can work together to promote and enhance their local food webs.

Chaired by: Kath Dalmeny, Sustain

PLENARY SESSION:
Local Food Webs Past, Present and Future
Speakers:
• Graeme Willis, Campaign to Protect Rural England
• Frances Northrop, Transition Town Totnes
• Fran Robinson, Ledbury Food Group

WORKSHOP THEMES:
Participants can select two choices
1. How a joined up approach to local food can support the local economy & community in your town - Pete Hawkins, Taste Tideswell (other speakers to be confirmed)
2. How partnership working can build stronger local food networks - Peter Norton, Herefordshire Food Partnership (and other speakers tbc)
3. How mapping your local food network can identify the key challenges & opportunities for local food where you live - Ben Messer, Food Matters
A local food lunch will be served.

More info: Soil Association