Food for Thought at Council Conference

25th October 2008

The Highland Council is hosting a conference next month which aims to support and promote the wider use of local food, products and services.

Organised by The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service, the one-day event, entitled Local Food in the Highlands, will take place at the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Friday 7 November 2008

The conference is targeted at all those involved in making local food available in The Highland Council area - producers, processors, distributors and buyers - and aims to:

• bring together those involved in production of local food and its distribution with those involved in public procurement.

• promote the benefits of procuring local food and linkages with the tourism industry.

• investigate ways in which more local food can be made available in the Highland area.

• provide further evidence for the Scottish Government's development of a national Food Policy.

The conference programme includes a keynote address from Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Development and Environment in the Scottish Government. A series of presentations will explore issues relating to the benefits of using local food and current barriers to its use. Workshops will then allow delegates to share ideas and experience with the aim of identifying possible ways of making local food more available.

Topics to be discussed include supply, overcoming seasonality issues, distribution and marketing.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chair of the Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: "The Highland Council is keen to support the use of local produce, products and services. Local food promotes greater sustainability, and brings environmental, social and economic benefits to the Highland communities. This conference will look at best practice and how we can work to overcome barriers to supply and distribution. I very much hope that all those involved in local food in the Highland will be able to attend and help influence the future of local food in the Highlands."

Attendance at the conference, including refreshments, is free of charge but must be booked in advance. For more information on the event or to book a place, please contact the event co-ordinators, Rowan Tree Consulting, on 01349 832817 or email hazel[AT]rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk