Would I like to start a blog about local food? It would mean going round to local food growers, producers and suppliers, sampling their wares, talking to them and writing about it…
I had heard of the Ledbury Food Group, taken part in the original survey and been interested in what was happening now, so I was intrigued. And they weren’t to know just how interested in food I am, so I tried not to sound too keen – or greedy. But actually I was going “yippee”, and so far everyone I have mentioned the blog to has asked to come along!
That is the thing about this part of the country. People are genuinely enthusiastic about local produce – and with good reason. Moving here five years ago I was delighted to discover how delicious the local meat, poultry and game was, to find that the fruit & veg I was buying came from down the road, and to realize just how many local cider and perry producers were within a stone’s throw of my house. As well as delivering delicious produce that reaches a wide audience, and being businesses that hold their own in a very competitive market, providing jobs for local people, these producers are rooted in the landscape and history of the area – and I think you can taste that in what they offer. Read the interview with Once Upon A Tree producer Ann Stanier to feel that sense of place.
So, where do I start? Watch this space for news about people starting new foodie ventures, for profiles of old favourites and for anything of interest to do with food that is going on within a 30 mile radius of Ledbury. I hope I can expand your knowledge of what is out there, and make you think about some of the issues around local food.
Contact me (melissa@ledburyfoodgroup.org) if there are places you have come across that you think everyone should know about, or even ones that you have just heard about and would like to know more – I can’t wait to get going!
Finally, although I disapprove of getting organised for Christmas too early, it has dawned upon me that it is looming, and I came across this yesterday, hot off the press (Tilley’s, of course! See about this long-established Ledbury business on http://www.ledburyportal.co.uk/portal/ ) So here is an idea for the perfect present for local food-lovers (easy to post too) Tinsmiths’ 2013 Letterpress Calendar offers an ingredient for each month and invites you to look at their blog for maybe a recipe or an activity to do with it. January’s is water, and promises a walk to fetch water from the Malvern Hills, but I’m looking forward to blackcurrants in July, oh and bangers in November – intriguing! See it under Accessories (Books and Stationery) on their website: http://shop.tinsmiths.co.uk/index.php
