Essex Food & Drink Awards

As you may or may not know its that time of year again where local producers battle it out for the title to be the best in Essex. If you would like to have your say you can by logging on to the website and filling out the form. First decide which category you wish to vote for and fill in the details, its that simple!

www.thisistotalessex.co.uk

Local Markets are a must!

I decided to check out my local market in Brentwood, Essex at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised with what it had to offer. There was a wide variety of produce to choose from ranging from meat, cheese, fish, eggs, fruit and veg. All the sellers at the market were extremely friendly and some even allowed you to taste the produce before you bought it!

I would definitely recommend a local market, think of the benefits:

1. If its a lovely day you can get out in the sunshine
2. You see where your food has come from
3. You are helping the local community

Check out my 'Farmers Market' page to see when they are on in you area.

Food Safari

Food Safari specialises in gourmet food experiences in Suffolk that go one or two steps beyond a traditional cookery school.

They run events and workshops that take you behind the scenes of some of Suffolk's best food and drink producers in many cases combining farm walks and tours with hands-on butchery classes and cookery courses Suffolk. Each day culminates in a feast, usually featuring the fruits of your day whether that's game, wild food or seafood.

On a Food Safari you will meet dedicated and inspiring producers like Pinneys of Orford (oysters and smoked fish), the Wild Meat Company (game), and Blythburgh Free Range Pork. You will hear the fascinating stories behind these products, see how they are produced, and even get your hands dirty skinning a rabbit, making sausages or making cheese.

So don't miss out on this great experience Check out the website http://www.foodsafari.co.uk/ to book a great day out!

Record Number of People Supporting Local Produce

It has emerged that a record nummber of people are choosing to use Suffolks network of small food producers and farm shops. A recent report shows that national suport for local produce has doubled in the last five years.

Suffolk Food Hall has reported that last year alone it saw a 14% increase in the number of customers vising, whilst other shops have also noted the improvement in trade.

Lady Cranbrook, a campaigner who has championed the cause of locally-produced goods, said that it was clear that more people were seeking better quality food to give to their families. She quoted: We've got more than 50 farm shops in Suffolk and it's amazing the number of them and the quality of food they are providing.

People must ask where their food comes from and make a fuss, even in the supermarkets.

Oliver Paul, director of the Suffolk Food Hall, said its sales had gone up by nearly 15% in 2009 from the previous year and feedback from customers showed they were becoming more conscious of where their food was produced. He said: We went into this project with a leap of faith, but that's been born out to be a successful leap because we have seen that not only is it viable but we've had significant growth in a difficult period.

The reason for this increase is it's better quality and there's a better taste to it.

Essex Gourmet

I have found a website that informs you of the best eateriers, suppliers and producers of food and drink within Essex.

The website also informs you of some great recipes for you to try at home.
Check out the link http://www.essexgourmet.co.uk/ you might be suprised to see what great resturants are on your door step!

The Local Food Hall Suffolk

Farmers in Suffolk have found a gap in the market to get their local produce to you the consumers. They decided to showcase quality food to the public and from this the Suffolk Food hall was born. The Food Hall is open daily and acts as an indoor market where you can shop for all your local produce under one roof. Below is an insight of the food hall taken fromt their website to give you some background knowledge of type of place it is.

"As Suffolk farmers, we were frustrated that consumers had limited access to much of the fantastic food produced locally. Spurred into action by this apparent gap in the market, the concept of a showcase for quality local food with provenance began to take shape and the Suffolk Food Hall was born."

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty next to the River Orwell, the Food Hall is just two miles south of Ipswich and is conveniently located within minutes of the A14/A12.

Since opening in May 2007, the Suffolk Food Hall has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence for local food. We’ve brought the best possible food specialists we could find under one roof: our own in-house, fully-stocked, free-range Butchery; Crystalwaters fishmongers from Lowestoft; Hamish Johnson cheeses from Framlingham; and Bread by Helena Doy

As well as this, they've got an impressive delicatessen section, an extensive variety of local and British-grown vegetables (both fresh and frozen), fine wines from Promotion Wines in Stoke by Nayland, freshly baked cakes and biscuits, marinades, specialist oils and other gourmet goodies, plus a large selection of larder must-haves.

See the website for more information about opening times and how to find them.

http://www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk/foodhall.html

10 Reasons to eat Local Produce

Below is a nice article I have found informing you why eating local produce really is so much better for you. Check out the bullet points and see if you agree.

Locally grown produce is fresher. While produce that is purchased in the supermarket or a big-box store has been in transit or cold-stored for days or weeks, produce that you purchase at your local farmer's market has often been picked within 24 hours of your purchase. This freshness not only affects the taste of your food, but the nutritional value which declines with time.

Local food just plain tastes better. Ever tried a tomato that was picked within 24 hours?

Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen. Because the produce will be handled less, locally grown fruit does not have to be "rugged" or to stand up to the rigors of shipping.

Eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic. In a March 2005 study by the journal Food Policy, it was found that the miles that organic food often travels to our plate creates environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of buying organic.

Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons. By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive.

Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story. Whether it's the farmer who brings local apples to market or the baker who makes local bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal.

Eating local protects us from bio-terrorism. Food with less distance to travel from farm to plate has less susceptibility to harmful contamination.

Local food translates to more variety. When a farmer is producing food that will not travel a long distance, will have a shorter shelf life, and does not have a high-yield demand, the farmer is free to try small crops of various fruits and vegetables that would probably never make it to a large supermarket.

Supporting local providers supports responsible land development. When you buy local, you give those with local open space - farms and pastures - an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped.