In 2015 we commissioned research into the challenges and opportunities in the Local Food Chain of Carlisle (the research highlighted that this covered Cumbria, Dumfries & Galloway and west Northumbria) . The results of this research are now available as one of the Food City Projects. The findings from this research indicated that the overall issues relating to the use of local food revolved around availability, awareness and suitability. The research also produced an initial map of the local food supply chain.
In 2016 we looked at how local food producers (both farmers and manufacturers) could increase the awareness of their products and ensure that these products were available and suitable for local food buyers (both retailers and caterers). This work was funded by the University of Cumbria and was conducted by Keith Jackson (University of Cumbria) and Jacqui Jackson (Jardine Jackson Associates) with the support of Emma Dixon and her team at Carlisle City Council. This research allowed us to add to the map developed in 2015.
If you want to be part of this research, discuss the findings or have your details added to the local food supply chain map please contact keith.jackson@cumbria.ac.uk
Carlisle Food City (a partnership of local council, local businesses, local food producers, local wholesalers, University of Cumbria and many others with the shared interested in promoting local food) are working to understand more about the links between people who produce, sell, process, supply and purchase food within a 50 mile (local) radius of the City.
We are doing this to help understand and ultimately increase the amount of local food purchased by our local consumers and so support our local businesses that either produce, process or sell local food products. We want to bring more of our local food into our local food outlets for our local consumers and we cannot achieve this without your help.
A thriving local Food chain has been found to benefit health, education, quality of life, landscape of an area and prosperity. Research has showed how local food economies and independent retailing are under threat.
The preliminary results of this research are available here and includes a map of local food producers, manufacturers, retailers and caterers. The research is continuing this year thanks to funding from the University of Cumbria and Carlisle City Council and if you would like to add your details to the food map please contact Keith Jackson at the University of Cumbria at Keith.Jackson@Cumbria.ac.uk
The 2015 questionnaire was launched at the Cumbria Growth Hubs ‘Everything Edible ‘Event on Thursday, 5 February 2015 and we are grateful for the support from Carlisle City Council, the Sustainable Food Cities Network, Chamber of Commerce, Local Businesses, Jardine Jackson Associates and The University of Cumbria, as well as other local businesses and stakeholders.
In 2016 further research was supported by the University of Cumbria (using HEIF money ) and Carlisle City Council. The research helped with the development of the Local Food Show which was held in 2017. Carlisle Food City are now looking for research partners who want to be involved in furthering our work to promote the growth of the local food business sector.