Food affects us all, not only through the proven health benefits arising from the consumption of fresh, nutritious food but also because of the indirect effect on our environment - and ultimately on our wellbeing - caused by the methods used to produce, process and distribute that food.

Produced and consumed locally, food can support the local economy by returning a better margin for producers and by retaining the financial benefit within the community. Responsible food production protects the environment by enhancing landscape and bio-diversity and by reducing ‘food miles'. Locally distinctive food can encourage people to develop a sense of place and belonging.

We are involved in projects which aim to help localise the food supply chain and encourage more sustainable food production. These include initiatives to improve food provision, and education about food, in Herefordshire Schools; and working with the public sector in the West Midlands to encourage Hospitals and Councils to source more fresh, local and organic produce.

We are championing a proposal to build Food and Drink Business Incubation units in Leominster, which are intended to support farmers and other small scale food and drink producers, in developing viable businesses.