Local Food Chain
A recent Rural Sustainability Event held in Killin highlighted the growing interest in changing the way we think about our food supplies. The Loch Tay Food Chain, which was established earlier this year, worked with Environmental Action Killin to run this event and is now in the process of taking forward many of the issues raised. It would welcome the views, knowledge and experience of the local community in how best it can build a sustainable food supply that deals with all the issues raised.
Food Co-ops
One of the first aims is to re-vitalise the local food co-ops by merging them together. This would not only make the administration of them easier but would also provide the ability to pool purchasing power to get even better prices from suppliers. |
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The newly merged co-op has now started trading, initially with ‘Greencity Wholefoods’ providing a monthly supply of general grocery products and ‘Food For Thought’ in Dull providing a weekly supply of fresh meats, fish, bakery and dairy products as well as its wide range of local and organic vegetables.
In selecting these two as suppliers the co-op wants to fulfil a desire to purchase through companies which demonstrate an ethical stance towards food production. Approaches are welcomed from any local food suppliers and producers who have similar ethical trading policies.
Networking
Discussions with other food initiatives throughout Scotland have ben held about co-operating in exchanging produce among them. The Lochaber Larder already operates a local food network, and Larder Bytes, based in Fife, has been working on a national network enabling food producers within Scotland to distribute their foods efficiently around the country. Discussions continue with them about how what is being tried around Loch Tay can fit in with this wider scheme.
Food Production
Looking for suppliers revealed how few local food producers there were in the Loch Tay area. Whilst there are a number of meat producers, not a single vegetable producerhas been discovered! A campaign will be launched in the new year to encourage and assist local people to begin producing local fruit and vegetables.
The food co-op, and its links with Larder Bytes, should provide an outlet for selling any food produced locally and it is planned to hold workshops around the area to show potential producers what opportunities there are and how they can help fill the gap.
Land Sharing
Ways are being sought to acquire land for people to grow vegetables on. One local farmer is to allow some of his land to be used both for a commercial market garden and possible allotments next year. Anyone wanting to grow but without have access to land, or owning suitable land and would like to see it used, is warmly encouraged to make contact.
Working together with Forth Environment Link and other local initiatives wwill also enable and encourage recycling of compost for use in local food production.
Education
Together with Environmental Arts Theatre Company work is progressing on a series of workshops and performances involving young people aimed at encouraging the inclusion of more vegetables as part of their diet.
The co-op is also an active participant in the ‘Big Shed’ project at Tombreck on lochtayside. This plans to construct a community owned and managed facility next year which will include a fully equipped commercial kitchen, bakery and micro-brewery, allowing courses to be developed in food hygiene, food processing, cookery, baking and brewing.
An ambitious range of activities to help develop access to local food is in hand but it needs the community to take it forward and make the Loch Tay area an example for sustainable food production and consumption.
If you would like to be kept notified of future activities and events, would like to join us in the exciting adventure or are just curious to know what we are up to in the future please get in touch.
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