Local Food Survey

Responses from producers:

• Farmers are predominantly producing beef, with only l7% growing fruit & vegetables.
• Other produce being made in smaller amounts include honey, jam, chutney, apple juice, milk and bakery items.
• 44% said they sell direct to consumers and all said they are willing to produce food for the local community, with the main obstacle being time and a central place to deliver produce to.
• Producers said they would be willing to support a farm shop or farmers market.
• Some producers are already growing organically and/or regeneratively.

Responses from residents:

• In terms of where people buy their food from (some residents said they shop at more than one place): 48% said they buy food at shops in the Roseland, 37% mostly shop at supermarkets, 13% get supermarket deliveries, 18% use local food stalls, 14% buy from farmers markets outside of the Roseland and 15% said they grow some of their own food.
• Residents priorities for food are: health, local, convenient, and environmental impact.
• Most residents are generally happy with the way they shop but are/would be willing to spend more for organic food and for products with less plastic packaging. In particular, residents would be willing to spend more on veg, meat (beef, lamb, pork), fish and fruit.
• Residents would be interested in a farmers market, farm shop or community supermarket.

It was encouraging to read that many residents do shop locally- at least some of the time and would welcome a local farmers market or shop, which marries up well with our local farmers’ willingness to sell locally (given a time efficient way to do so, in a convenient location). Health seems to be the number one priority for local residents and many would welcome more organic, locally produced food, which is plastic free.