Launch of new look site - 15/04/2010
April 2010 sees the launch of the new Food Chain north east website which has been redesigned and rebranded in collaboration with Rothbury based digital agency Lazy Grace and software specialists Shroni. The project was made possible with financial assistance and support from Sustain and Business Link.
The website has been re-launched with a vibrant new look, new content, significant layout updates and features including online ordering and payment, which will make it easier for customers to access the whole range of our products. The “in your area” map gives details of all our current community food coops, so its even easier to find out where your local food chain coop operates from.
Talking about the website, Nigel Race Chief Executive at the Food Chain commented: ‘We are delighted with the new website. It reflects the recent growth of the Food Chain through initiatives that run alongside our community and wholesale activity, such as the getting fresh in the workplace campaign and fruit at the office, which have taken us to a wider customer base. As well as aligning the design of the site with our branding, we wanted to create a website that would significantly improve efficiency and distribution.”
A bespoke content management system has been developed which allows products and pricing to be updated easily, it assists in ordering from local suppliers by collating customer’s orders and converting into buy lists and it informs each vans daily drops.
The Food Chain are keen to hear from you if you have a recipe or menu idea you would like to see included on the site or if you have any comments that could help us continually improve. Please feel free to drop us your thoughts
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http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/
Third News Item - 10/04/2010
Making Local Food Work is an initiative managed by the Plunkett Foundation and funded by the Big Lottery Fund to explore community enterprise approaches to connecting land and people through food. With the objective: to 'reconnect people and land through local food increasing access to fresh, healthy, local food with clear, traceable origins'.
Local food matters. It connects people to the land. It creates opportunities for farmers to provide food directly to their customers and helps communities to build skills, trading systems, networks and resilience. Local food can also have many benefits for the local economy, community regeneration, health and the environment.
Making Local Food Work is rooted in the belief that the needs of consumers, producers and the land are interdependent and that community enterprise can strengthen and reconnect these links to the lasting benefit of all.
People buy local food many reasons: local food is fresher than shipped-in food and so it tastes better and is more nutritious; local food has fewer food miles and is better for the environment; local food helps support the local economy; local food is more easily traced back to its origins.
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Eat Seasonably - 01/03/2010
Eat Seasonably is a new campaign which helps everybody enjoy fresh fruit and veg at its seasonal best.
At a time when many people put the same fruit and veg on their plates all year round, the campaign helps you reconnect with your food and the seasons in which it grows. It celebrates eating the right things at the right time: a crisp salad when it’s hot and sunny, a wholesome stew when it’s cold; strawberries in June, Brussels sprouts in December.
Eat Seasonably has introduced a label which is being used to highlight seasonal fruit and vegetables where they are sold or served, as well as a new calendar of monthly highlights to determine when British produce is at its seasonal best.
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New Member joins the team - 01/04/2010
Bill White has recently taken over the post of Community Growing Officer; the post was initially made possible in 2008 with a two year funding package from the Ashdon Trust. It is envisaged that the post will continue after the Funding Package finishes. Bill brings his background in training delivery and accreditation, along with 15 years experience working for a number of Agencies and Organisations including Durham County Council on a European Social Fund Project and Community Service Volunteers. Bill will continue to develop local growing projects and the facilitation of training for local residents in the field of horticulture.
The Food Chain works with groups and agencies in a number of different ways, in relation to training, in 2009 the organisations ran a range of events, initiatives and training courses at a community venues across the region. The accredited courses at Level 1 and 2 in Community Market Gardening, proved popular.
Bill will be delivering and developing more courses in 2010. Speaking of the courses Bill says; “Students have the opportunity to learn how to grow fruit and vegetables, with plenty of practical activity to back up the theoretical knowledge gained during the course. It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills”.
All Students who complete the course gain a nationally recognised qualification in Horticulture, through the organisations accrediting body the Open College Network. Past students have moved onto further training in horticulture and some have continued to volunteer at the sites within their own communities.
Bill will also be involved with aiding the delivery of a number of key projects in partnership with local groups and agencies, such as developing community gardening projects, on previously unused or derelict land adjacent to local venues, providing, growing, educational and training activities. Produce grown at these venues, will be utilised at local events or included in box and bag schemes. Bill is also keen to develop wider community initiatives such as activities for children during school holidays, which he hopes will connect children with the food production process in a fun, stimulating and enjoyable atmosphere.
If you are interested in training opportunities, volunteering or just want to find out more please call Bill on 01914826820, Mobile 07982440598.
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