THE SEARCH FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS CONTINUES

27 October 2008

If you’re a local food producer we want to hear from you!

With the importance of buying ‘local food’ becoming an increasingly recognised issue in today’s world, there is a growing understanding among consumers about the benefits of buying locally. Purchasing direct from local producers not only helps us ensure our food is fresh, nutritious, tasty and traceable, but by buying in this way we also support our local businesses and benefit our local economy.

In a joint initiative with Ballymoney Borough Council, Limavady Borough Council and Coleraine Borough Council, Moyle District Council is hoping to find out more about the local food economy of the area and is currently involved in the compilation of a local produce database for the region. Through other local produce enterprises such as Causeway Speciality Market, Menu of Moyle and the Country Markets network, a lot has already been learned about the incredibly diverse range of fresh, local produce available across the four council areas. So far our research has unearthed producers offering a range of goods from meat and fish, to cheese, eggs, preserves, bakery products, confectionery, beverages, vegetables and herbs, and we are keen to find out more.

The information compiled will ultimately be used to help with the promotion of the region’s local food, so if you’re a local producer in the Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady, Moyle or surrounding areas, who offers fresh, home-grown, farm-produced or home-made products, please get in touch with us so we can add you to our list. Your details will be stored in a database of local producers that will provide the basis for the future highlighting and promotion of our local produce (possibly through the production of a ‘Producer’s Directory’ and other potential initiatives).

To register you interest in being included in the local producers database, or if you would like to find out more about the research being carried out, simply contact Deirdre McNeill at Moyle District Council on (028) 2076 2225 or email dmcneill@moyle-council.org. You can also download an expression of interest form by clicking here: PRODUCERS EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM.