Lib Dems call for boost to Farmers Market in battle against 'food miles'

10.14.49am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 4th Aug 2006

Cllr Scriven at the Sheffield Farmers Market

Sheffield Liberal Democrats have praised the cities farmers market and called for the council to give the event more support and a much higher profile. Lib Dems are calling for the council to undertake extra work to promote Sheffield Farmers Market. They have also asked that the council consider moving the event from the Moor, where it currently resides every month, to the more popular Fargate area.

Lib Dems believe that the monthly event provides an essential service, giving the opportunity for the people of Sheffield to buy quality, reasonably priced local produce. They also note that people can cut down on their 'food miles' and contribute to the battle against climate change.

Farmers Markets offer people the chance to be environmentally friendly and cut down on their 'food miles'. The term is used to describe the amount of miles food travels to the place where it is purchased.

Many supermarkets sell goods that have come from all over the world. The transportation of these goods involves high carbon emissions and adds to the problem of climate change. In contrast food bought at the Sheffield Farmers Market has only traveled a few miles as it has been grown in the local area.

The next Sheffield Farmers Market event is on Sunday August 27th between 10am and 3pm.

Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrat Group, said: -

"Buying locally produced food rather than produce from a supermarket really can go a long way to helping in the battle against climate change. That's why we are calling for the council to give Sheffield's Farmers Market much more support through promotion and considering a change of venue to a higher profile site in the city center"

"Agriculture and food now account for nearly 30 per cent of goods transported on our roads. This travel adds substantially to the carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to climate change - which is why food miles matter"

"Many goods in supermarkets travel thousands of miles from across the world to the shelf. This is in stark contrast to goods in the Sheffield Farmers Market which travel just a few miles from within the local area"

"We don't want to be a nanny state and tell people where they can and can't shop, but its clear we need to make it as easy as possible for the people of Sheffield to buy local goods. I hope the council recognises our call and takes action so that we can all cut down on our 'food miles' and help to tackle climate change"

More information on Sheffield Farmers Market: -

The Farmers Market is held on The Moor in Sheffield City Centre on the fourth Sunday of each month (except Easter & Christmas). A number of traders attend this market offering Sheffield's public the chance to browse, sample and purchase a variety of fresh, locally produced goods.

There is an array of fresh foods usually on offer including fresh meats, fruit, baked goods including pies and cakes, jams & preserves, cheeses and locally brewed alcohol. For customers who like to try something a bit different, meats like ostrich and venison are normally available, and you can even pick-up some ready-to-eat hot food like a hot pork sandwich, ostrich burger or a tasty beef burger. In addition to fresh foods home made soaps, oils and pot-pourri are also available.

More information on the issue of food miles can be found at the website below: -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodmiles.shtml#what_are_food_miles?