EAT LOCAL TO SOLVE CRISES IN FOOD SYSTEM

13 December 2010

THE fragility of our modern food system and growing momentum to create a healthy, local food economy were highlighted at Our Local Larder in Cromarty.

More than 100 people packed into to the village’s Victoria Hall to browse and shop at an excellent range of stalls, and hear pioneering food campaigner Mike Small talk on the crisis in our globalised food system.

Some startling and absurd revelations - like the fact we export 47,00 tonnes of butter each year out of the UK, then import 46,000 tonnes back in - were balanced by an inspiring account of how hundreds of thousands of people want to be part of a better, more resilient and sustainable food economy.

The Highland Food Challenge - a local eating plan being run by Transition Black Isle - was inspired by the Fife Diet and links between the organisations were boosted by the Cromarty event.     

“It was brilliant to see so many people from the local community coming out to listen to the talk and buy food and crafts from local producers,” said Highland Food Challenge coordinator Freya Manson. “The best ideas are gleaned at these kinds of community events and it shows there is a growing demand for this way of eating on the Black Isle and further afield.

“It was brilliant to be able to pick the brains of the man responsible for injecting momentum into the local food movement in Scotland. We’ll definitely be taking  on board some of the ideas they've put in place in Fife.  It was also really heartening to hear that there are ideas from the Highland Food Challenge that Mike Small is now planning to take back to the Fife Diet.

“Mike was very inspiring, engaging and informative and the questions and observations from the audience were just as illuminating. I felt the whole event showed that we do care about where our food comes from on the Black Isle and highlighted just how many opportunities there are for us to eat great food produced locally.”

Mike Small said:  “It was great to meet lots of local producers and to see what’s going on in the local food movement on the Black Isle.  There’s clearly great energy for change and some great local produce available. It was superb to see such a good turnout as well.”

There’s still time to sign up for the Highland Food Challenge - and be in with a chance of winning some stunning, specially designed mugs and teapots from the Cromarty Pottery.  For details e-mail us.