Retailers and suppliers should provide more information about the specific origin of produce after new figures show the public views local food as a top priority.
According to new figures released by the government, 80 per cent of consumers said they prioritise buying local food.
Over half of the sample (51 per cent) said they would buy local vegetables if an option was available, while 40 per cent said they would prefer to buy local meat.
The news coincides with the start of British Food Fortnight, where homegrown crops and produce will be championed through a range of events and social media promotions.
Environment secretary Liz Truss said local labelling, such as showing what farm or county the food is from, would help consumers “take pride” in buying British produce.
She said retailers and producers are already responding to the demand for local food, and highlighted that Tesco has developed a new tool for online shoppers to search for products sourced within 10 miles of their local area.
Meanwhile, she said the UK is lobbying to ensure rules on country-of-origin labelling can use terms such as ‘Made in Scotland’, ‘Made in Wales’ or ‘Made in Yorkshire’.
Truss said the government wants to create the right environment for small businesses to flourish. “This means supporting better country of origin labelling to ensure shoppers can get behind our British farmers and building better broadband and transport links so it’s as easy to open and expand a business in Cornwall as it is in Camden,” she said.
“Today’s figures highlight the enthusiasm of British consumers for our astonishing variety of local produce which helps grow our £100bn food and farming industry even further.”
No comments yet