Scheme puts local produce in store at Co-op (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Scheme puts local produce in store at Co-op

Local producers Martin Haines, left, from WR Haines growers, in Worcestershire, and Martin Harrell, from Hayles Fruit Farm, in GloucestershireA PROJECT to put more local produce on to supermarket shelves has been recognised as one of the best in the country.

Oxford Swindon and Gloucester Co-op's Local Harvest scheme was launched in 2002 to support regional growers and producers.

Now the scheme has been praised by national countryside support group Rural Revival as one of the best in the county.

James Pavitt, the food executive at Rural Revival said: "Co-op managers and buyers are making a genuine effort to overcome the barriers to the sale of local food and have successfully managed to engage many local businesses.

"They are providing customers with great fresh local foods and local farmers, growers and food producers with a trustworthy venue for the sale of their produce."

OS&G Co-op's Adrian Barradell said: "We have worked hard to set up a local food support scheme which is realistic in what it can and cannot do.

"We are growing Local Harvest gradually and in the last three years, we have built up some excellent relationships with our suppliers and also received excellent feedback from customers."