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for all your needs |
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IN an era of global trade, Susanne
Austin launched The Cotswold Food Group to support local producers by
encouraging people to buy local products. She talked to Gerry Barnett about
her vision and of her need for help |
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"This year I would be
inclined to fill my freezer from local PYO's, rekindling the art of
blanching, while embracing or polishing up on pickling and storing as it
is always an ability we can keep in reserve should we need it," she
said.
"In order to buy our food we first need to secure its supply. 'Global
Trading' we are told is the answer - what then of the possibility of the
likes of another fuel crisis, drought or failed GM crop? We leave
ourselves vulnerable if we do not secure local produce as we may look
for it in the future and it will not be there. We should value our
producers, |
I am constantly being asked why I do
what I do and what keeps me going, the answer to which I am sure will
be the same, not only for me, but also for others - for the love of my
country and the desire to secure local food production, encourage and
embrace local communities with economics that create prosperity for
all," she said.
It was with a heavy heart, she said, that she listened to those with
little or no relation to what she termed 'real life' and how much things
were taken for granted. Someone else would pick up the litter, grow and
harvest food, run the shows.
Miss Austin explained: "In 1999 1 launched The Cotswold Food Group in
order to support our region and its producers and continue to do so with
many others who run farmers markets, festivals and shows. The workload
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enormous and expensive. It
has such rewards when we see the results of our labours in front of us,
people sharing, laughing, buying, selling, representing community at its
best.
"Sometimes we forget to acknowledge that behind the scenes an awful lot
of work has been undertaken in order to bring it to this stage. "We have
just seen reports of beehives being stolen due to the shortage of honey
we are experiencing as the ban on Chinese honey, which provided in
excess of 45 per cent of imported honey, takes hold.
"Add this to problems in the supply chain connected to BSE, foot and
mouth and the closure of local abattoirs. We also see signs of
shortages, such as cocoa and coffee, in other countries, making me think
that we may in time change the saying 'not in my back yard' to '1 wish I
had some in my back yard.'"
She said that she was recently at a farm where she learned of the
closure of a well-known hamper company, of the loss of a regional food
policy officer with the Cotswold AONB Partnership, following on from
which the talk turned to the loss of a herd near Winchcombe during the
foot and mouth crisis and of businesses lost as a result of the disease. |
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understanding
that good quality takes much effort to produce and therefore deserves
recognition of its value. "Miss Austin said The Cotswold Food Group was
dedicated to securing local food and needed support. Coming up this year
were Country Cooking Demonstrations at Lodge Park, Aldsworth, on
Wednesday, June
26, September 25 and November 27 with a Festive Food Fair from November
22 to 24. A second harvest banquet was planned for October 25 at Wyck
Hill House, Stow, Cotswold Food and Drink Awards was to be launched, and
a Country Food Show Area at Cirencester Park on July 6 and 7.
Miss Austin warned: "1 can no longer go it alone. I need the support of
my region. Agriculture has lost many workers, producers, expertise and
the like, which begs the question: Who will provide, who will pick up
the litter, who will......? if we have
all gone."
Anyone who would like to support future events can contact Miss Austin
on 01865 742793. |
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