The Soil Association is organising a free open seminar in Swindon, UK, to give consumers, producers, wholesalers, retailers and community groups the chance to examine the potential of large scale buying groups in the country.
The event forms part of the first ever Co-operative Fortnight, which celebrates people working together to build strong communities and good businesses.
The seminar's goal is to boost awareness of how consumers can form buying groups to enable greater access to fresh, local, ethically produced food at affordable prices, as well as providing a secure market to local farmers.
Case studies from buying groups and food co-operatives around the world will be analysed, with companies such as GAS in Italy and Suma Wholefoods and Somerset Organic Link in the UK providing speakers.
'In the past 10 years there has been considerable growth in the local food sector with organic box schemes, farmers’ markets, farm shops and more recently community supported agriculture,' the UK's Soil Association said. 'However, volumes of local food traded are still relatively small, as is the size of the farms and holdings involved. In Europe and the US, large-scale buying groups operate successfully, with committed consumers coming together to buy food in bulk directly from producers. This coordinated approach to supply is providing fresh local food to consumer groups in large urban areas and throughout whole states.'
