The Countryside Agency has set up a new project with the Soil Association to promote local food initiatives.

The project, called Food Futures, will continue the work of the Soil Association's pilot operation which was successful in strengthening food partnerships between local farmers and food producers in disadvantaged areas.

The programme will distribute funding for community food projects such as designing and planting orchards, reclaiming derelict allotments and setting up gardening groups.

Funding for three years has been secured from the Health Improvement Programme and the Social Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) part of the New Opportunities Fund.

The new partnership is part of the Countryside Agency's Eat The View project which has helped raise the profile of sustainable local schemes such as farmers markets.

Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, said: 'The Countryside Agency is working to harness the power of the market, to encourage greater production and consumption of products that will help protect and enhance our countryside.'