There is a growing international movement of people forming ‘local food centres or hubs’. All are an attempt to create direct links between local food producers and local buyers. Unlike Community Supported Agriculture, the focus is on one central organisation (always not for profit /voluntary) acting as a coordinator to bring small producers together and link them to larger local markets. This is seen as necessary because conventional farming and food production systems ie based on fossil fuels, environmentally damaging, low animal welfare approaches, then sold through supermarkets can produce much cheaper food than small producers. Many of these centres then add in other related activities – food processing, selling directly to the public, running skills and training offers etc.
A good summary of what is going on can be found here.
Food Exeter is carrying out a feasibility study into setting up a Local Food Centre for Greater Exeter. The report will be ready in Spring 2020. If you are interested in knowing more, please email localfoodcentre@foodexeter.org.uk
