Food miles
– eating more local produce reduces the need to transport food over large distances meaning there is less carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. Using box schemes and farmers’ markets means reducing the amount of packaging too!
More than half of the fruit and vegetables we buy in the UK are imported. To help reduce CO2 emissions(released from trucks, airplanes and cargo ships), it’s best to buy in season, organic and grown locally
Seasonal Eating
Eating seasonally is often cheaper, the produce has more nutrients in it because it’s fresher and it supports the local economy. Box schemes and farmers’ markets are an excellent way to eat with the seasons.
Box schemes
There are plenty of box schemes popping up. The ones below are based on farms that also produce their own veg – reducing food miles further.
Organic Pantry based at a farm at Tadcaster www.organicpantry.co.uk Tel 01937 834062
Goosemoor Organics grows its own veg and is based in Wetherby www.goosemoor.co.uk Tel 01423 358887
I just popped into the lovely Lengs grocers on the Cold Bath Road and they now deliver around Harrogate and you can order online www.lengsgrocers.co.uk/
Farmers Markets
Go to www.farmersmarket.net to find the farmers’ market nearest you. Here are some local ones.
Harrogate – 2nd Thursday of the month
Wetherby – 2nd Sunday of the month
Skipton – 1st Sunday of the month
Richmond – 3rd Saturday of the month
Leyburn – 4th Saturday of the month
Northallerton – 4th Wednesday of the month
Ripon - 3rd Sunday of the month
Pick your own
The following farms have pick your own fruit in the summer:
Strawberry Farm, West House Farm, Birstwith. Tel: 01423 771360
Pearsons Soft Fruits, Strawberry Fields, Friars Hill, Sinnington Tel: 01751 433380
Farm Shops
Farmtrust, West House Farm, Birstwith Tel: 01423 772577
Four Lane Ends Farm, Burley Park Bank Road, Killinghall Tel: 01423 566644
Organic Pantry, St Helens Farm, Newton Kyme, Tadcaster, North
Yorkshire, LS24 9LY Tel: 01937 531693 www.organicpantry.co.uk
Weetons, 23/24 West Park, Harrogate HG1 1BJ Tel: 01423 507100 www.weetons.com
Ainsty Farm Shop, York Road, Green Hammerton, York YO26 8EQ Tel: 01423 331897 www.ainstyfarmshop.co.uk
More local products can be sourced through www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk or put in your postcode and find local suppliers www.bigbarn.co.uk