With the Leicestershire Sustainable Food and Procurement Summit taking place next week, local producers and businesses are being encouraged to get involved.
Held at the Allerton Project in Loddington on Thursday, 29 September, the event is set to be a great opportunity to network with other producers and public sector decision-makers as well as be part of discussions on how to fulfil the government's Food Strategy target in the county.
It is part of Leicestershire County Council’s Sustainable Farming & Food Chain initiative.
Joe Stanley, the Allerton Project’s head of training and partnerships, and NFU county chair for Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland, will kick off the event.
"We are excited to be hosting the summit. It is a great example of our home county’s efforts to turn the government Food Strategy’s 50% target into reality," he said
"In conjunction with Leicestershire Country Council, we believe that incorporating local, high quality, high welfare and environmentally friendly food from Leicestershire businesses is more important now than ever to ensure the health and wellbeing of both our citizens and our planet.
"We will be talking about the health and business benefits of a more sustainable approach to public-sector food procurement.
"And we will look at how farmers can grasp more sustainable production methods and champion their existing high environmental and welfare standards to key public sector buyers."
The event is free of charge and open to anyone with an interest in how farmers and the supply chain can work together with local authorities to improve the sustainability of public sector food procurement.
The day’s programme includes a panel discussion and Q&A session, as well as the chance to sample some fine food from local producers in the lunchtime Food Court and to network with potential suppliers and customers.
Follow the link below to book your free space.