Happy Local Food Christmas for Matlock

(Written 12/12/09).

An environmental group in Matlock launched its first seasonal food campaign yesterday, promoting the use of local produce over Christmas as a way to help both the community and the environment.

Transition Matlock is working with local businesses on the campaign ‘Happy Local Food Christmas’.

The campaign includes a sample Christmas menu with all locally sourced ingredients, as well as ideas for how to avoid excessive food wastage. The group formed last year in response to the threat of climate change and oil spills.

Helen Cunningham, a member of Transition Matlock, said: “People will have to start changing what they buy. They’ve become too used to the convenience of supermarkets.

“It seems ridiculous to eat lamb flown in from New Zealand when we have it here in Matlock.

“We want to help local sellers: they make local food which is convenient to buy and can still be cooked as quickly and easily.”

Scott Sneddon, director of Scott’s Garden, an organic market garden based in Matlock, has been working with the group to promote better local knowledge of what is available.

He said: “There’s so much in Derbyshire. It’s just how you promote it without having to spend a lot of money. Small-scale producers just don’t have the budget.

“We are slowly and surely changing public perception of what’s out there, but some people just don’t know where they can get things that are produced locally.”

His company are also tackling issues of Christmas excess through their vegetable box scheme: a bespoke service offering customers the produce they want in the exact quantities they need.

William Morley, a Matlock resident, said that he would support a campaign to promote local produce, but that Christmas excess would be harder to tackle.

He said: “We usually shop at the supermarket for convenience, but we used to live in rural Ireland and bought local produce, so it’s very close to my heart.”

“But buying too much at Christmas is a habit that people have done for years so it’s harder to break.”

Mr. Hambridge, owner of Hambridge Butchers Ltd in Matlock, was unaware of Transition Matlock’s work, but said that he would support the campaign.

He said: “People seem to want good, local stuff. It avoids them getting ripped off in supermarkets.

“We are trading well precisely because of our local produce.”

To see the menu and for more information visit www.transitionmatlock.org.uk.

'Don't quote me on that. I don't want the world knowing my views on brussel sprouts...'

Today I faced the exhilarating task of finding out more about people's Christmas food shopping habits, and whether there was any place for local produce in their budgets. I came away somewhat bewildered: I'd never realised how much people misunderstand the press.

As a journalism student, I've recently been learning about the importance of establishing whether statements are 'on' or 'off' the record, and to respect the confidentiality of sources, should they request anonymity. I never expected, however, that I would have to put this into practice when asking people in the Peak District about their views on local produce.

I did, of course, meet some wonderfully obliging people: Mr Morley, for instance, was chatting away telling me how he had just changed his car to be more environmentally friendly, and how it was a piece of junk that barely worked. A local butcher offered to give me some free produce if I wanted to try it. The woman on the fruit and veg stall, however, was less heart-warming.

It seemed to me she'd watched one too many police dramas and insisted on telling me not to quote her. The scandalous gossip she gave me included the fact that they sell fresh beetroot and fennel, and that most of their produce is from Lincolnshire.

Trust me dear, even if you'd allowed it I wouldn't be quoting you.

I know that all journalists should respect their sources, but I have to say, she was a right dunce.