A major new project to map the South West’s food supply chains will identify opportunities to improve the system for people, place and planet.
Greater knowledge of food supply chains in the region will support improved opportunities for farmers and food producers, while also delivering social, environmental, and economic improvements.
Researchers will investigate the food products that public institutions such as hospitals and schools buy, and in what form they prefer to purchase food – for example already prepared – and how frequently. Farmers and food producers will also be interviewed to help experts gain a clear understanding of what is produced within the region throughout the year.
The project is a partnership between, and funded by, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Devon and Somerset Councils and the National Farmers’ Union. Surveys and interviews will take place across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
The research will be led by Professor Matt Lobley at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research. He said: “We hope the partnership’s work will lead to a reduction in food miles, better deals for farmers and greater amounts of local food bought and consumed. Having a deeper understanding about food supply chains in the South West will lead to an increase in people eating better quality, fresher food, and an improvement in public health.”
Karl Tucker, Chair of Heart of the South West LEP, said “For many years there have been discussions about how to get more locally-grown and produced food into the public procurement space. This would help shorten supply chains, provide quality, nutritious food for the recipients and deliver a significant economic and social benefit to the region. We have lost much of the processing capacity for the produce grown in the region over the past few decades and produce is now being transported long distances to be processed, before potentially returning again. We need to understand fully the demand and needs of this important market, how much, of what, in what format and when. We can then map this against the existing regional capability and identify opportunities for investment to close any gaps where it is economically viable to do so. I hope this study will kickstart the process of making meaningful, sustainable change.”
Melanie Squires, NFU South West Regional Director, said: This project is designed to highlight opportunities for food producers and processors to grow existing and access new markets and for food procurers to outline what they think is needed to allow them to buy more food grown and processed within the South West. We have anecdotal evidence from farmers and food processors who tell us that they would love to expand their market by supplying the public sector, but they list a set of barriers to doing so. This research will help to uncover those barriers, real or perceived, and make genuine recommendations for future investment or policy change that could open up the public sector for smaller food businesses too. This project and the support it has received from funding partners, is great news for the food and farming industry.”
The research team want to hear from those involved in food supply and production – including farmers – those involved in food storage and processing, large wholesalers and public sector organisations who purchase food. Experts will carry out interviews about their work and experiences to map the food supply chain in the South West from farm to fork.
To participate in this research please submit your name, organisation name and email address here.
