Trust backing gives boost for local food
Feb 2 2008 by Jane Hall, The Journal
THE Journal’s campaign to get people buying, using and eating more North-East produce has been given a welcome boost with the news the National Trust is to open a new food shop in the region.
The Gibside Larder near Rowlands Gill will offer local residents and visitors alike the chance to buy some of the North-East’s finest award-winning foods.
The aim of the venture is to support National Trust tenant farmers regionally as well as local food producers. The Larder, which is set to open on February 9, is the second such endeavour for the Trust in this area. Wallington Farm Shop in Northumberland opened in 2002 in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis with the aim of supporting the immediate rural economy.
A first at that time for the National Trust, the farm shop quickly proved a success not only with visitors to the magnificent 18th Century Palladian mansion near Cambo, but with locals who have thrown their long-term buying power behind the business.
The Larder, which will open seven a days a week, will offer award-winning beef and lamb reared on the Trust’s nearby Wallington Estate, as well as local, seasonal fruit and vegetables, including organically grown 18th-Century varieties from Gibside’s walled garden.
Also new for 2008 will be Gibside Community Farmers’ Markets. One Saturday a month, local farmers will be coming together to sell their wares at the 18th Century landscape estate.
The markets will provide the chance to buy and learn about locally grown and reared food direct from the farmers, as well as being a fun day out for the family. One stall will even be a play shop for children where they can learn more about local produce. The first event is planned for February 16.
The Trust is also celebrating the news that Wallington Farm Shop has scooped two gold awards for their home cured and sweet dry cured bacon from the British Pig Executive (BPEX).
All the bacon sold at Wallington in cured on the estate for seven days before being air dried in refrigerators for a further week.
Meanwhile, The National Trust has thrown its weight behind The Journal Taste North East England Campaign launched earlier this week by being one of the first to sign up to our food charter.
The Journal is calling on all consumers, producers and businesses across the North-East to sign and show their support for the production, retail and enjoyment of the wealth of fine regional food and drink on offer between the Scottish Border and North Yorkshire.
The pledge is a simple statement that signals to others you intend to support local food and drink by buying, using and eating more of the goods produced, grown and raised on our doorstep.
The charter can be found at our newly launched website, www.journaltastene.co.uk, or you can post in the form on this page to register your backing.
Rachael Baldwin, the National Trust’s regional catering operations manager Yorkshire and North-East, said The Journal campaign mirrored the charity’s own food philosophy. “The National Trust recognises the many benefits of eating food that has been produced locally. Buying local produce ensures that you can bring fresh, quality, seasonal food to your table, supports the local economy, sustains business in the region and creates jobs.”
Ms Baldwin said she had had no hesitation in signing-up to The Journal Taste North East England Campaign charter. “We want to see local food producers rewarded for producing quality food whilst protecting and enhancing the countryside. We strongly believe that it matters that we know where our food comes from, how the crops were grown and that animals are properly cared for.”
Aims of The Journal Taste North East England Campaign:
To encourage more shops – including supermarkets – to stock more North-East food and drink
To encourage more hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes to serve more locally-produced food
To encourage more people to appreciate the value of buying more locally-produced food and drink
To support farm shops and farmers’ markets
