An innovative new project is set to explore the benefits of local food to the community and economy around Faversham, Kent.

The Mapping Local Food Webs project, part of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), will help the local community to map their local “food webs”. This consists of the links between people who produce, process, supply, sell and buy in an area.

The new project is supported both nationally and locally by Big Lottery funding, its aim to reconnect people with the land and local produce through community enterprise.

In addition, it has garnered the support of the Transition Town group for Faversham, and Swale Friends of the Earth. Spokesperson Jonathan Richardson said: “ Swale Friends of the Earth welcomes this opportunity. We are excited about getting involved in the project to reconnect people with where their food comes from.”

The project reflects a recent trend among consumers for seeking out the benefits of locally sourced food, both in terms of financial and ethical standards.

Karen Gardham, CPRE’s South East regional co-ordinator for the project, said: “Getting the community involved and making the most of people’s local knowledge are central to the project. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and strengthen links in the local food network, including those between producers, suppliers and retailers.”

A public meeting will be held on July 29 at the Alexander Centre, Faversham, to launch the project and to recruit volunteers to lead local research.

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