Why buying local food and drink makes economic and sustainable sense

Gloucestershire’s food and drink can rival anything produced in the UK and we must, therefore, support a new initiative from GFirstLEP.

Made in Gloucestershire is designed to fly the flag for local producers at a time when buying locally produced food a drink makes real economic and sustainable sense.

As I wrote in this column last week, encouraging the production of local food is vital for the county’s economy with two rural flagships—the Royal Agricultural University and Hartpury University and College-on our doorstep.

David Owen, chief executive of GFirstLEP told me:

“From globally recognised brands like Wall’s Ice Cream and Ribena to fast-growing start-ups like Tubby Tom’s and Non Solo Pasta, we want to show local people, visitors and the world everything that is great about food and rink in Gloucestershire.”

When customers see the Made in Gloucestershire mark, they will know they are supporting our leading community of producers and helping to put money back into the local economy and securing jobs.

The initiative’s website is now live and local producers can sign up to become members here.

This is not a political column and I am not an economist, but on behalf of businesses in Gloucestershire can I make a heart-felt plea to the runners and riders in the race to be Prime Minister.

It is simple: Can business please have clarity about how you intend to support them?

Our economy is in something of a dire state and business is desperate for some clear plans-not ideas that lack strategic direction.

Indeed, Business West’s latest quarterly economic survey found that business concern about inflation is at the highest level ever recorded since this question was introduced to businesses in 2008.

Neary 400 businesses took part in the survey from across the South West and the results come as the UK’s annual rate of inflation reached a 40 year high in May.

Business here in Gloucestershire needs to feel it is working in partnership with government.

Surely, this is an obvious ask as our companies-particularly the SMEs- are the engine room of the economy and the route to sustainable growth?