French Farmers visit Plymouth this week

10 October 2012

A French delegation from Rennes will be visiting Plymouth this week to find out about short supply chains and how these can help to support local food systems. This is part of an Interreg funded project Sustainable Supply Chains (1) between the cities of Plymouth and Rennes, to support delivery of the Sustainable Food City Plymouth Food Charter and Action Plan.

During the study trip on Thursday they will visit local growers and businesses who both produce and buy local, sustainable produce; Keveral Growers, Tamar View Fruiterers, Brook Green Centre of Learning (supplied by Plymouth City Council's award winning school meal service) and River Cottage Canteen, who will be supplied by a delivery of organic produce from the Tamar Valley by SailTrade during the visit (2)

On Friday there will be a meeting at the Treasury Restaurant in Plymouth (3) to present some of the findings and to invite local businesses and organisations to share their knowledge of short supply chains and what can be done to support more local food supply into Plymouth. A new Plymouth Public Sector Procurement report, produced by Plymouth University post-grad students in collaboration with local public sector buyers, will also be launched at the event.

Ends

For more information contact: Traci Lewis tlewis@soilassociation.org or 07870 268 654

Notes to Editors

[1] SFC Interreg project is led by the Soil Association with French partner CIVAM from Rennes.

[2] Full Study Trip (11th October) Agenda is available on request. Two good photo story opportunities are at: 2.30pm Brook Green Centre For Learning will be presented with their ‘Best School Award’ in their school assembly, from the recent Plymouth Food Awards 3.30pm Sail Trade delivery of organic produce from the Tamar Valley to River Cottage Canteen at Royal William Yard.

[3] For more information and to book a place on this event visit Sustainable Supply Chains event, 12 October.