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Somerset Food Links to wind down It is with great sadness that we have learnt this week that funding for Somerset Food Links will cease in April, after 10 years supporting small food and drink producers and playing a huge part in establishing Somerset as the UK's number 1 local food county* Somerset Food Links managing director, Andrew Moore,, said the decision to wind down the operation had been taken reluctantly and with sadness, but the board recognised the organisation needed a new focus and would not be able to achieve this in the current economic climate.
Mr Moore said he was extremely proud of Somerset Food Links past and present staff who were largely responsible for the organisation’s achievements.
“There has been an enormous amount of goodwill from fellow food and drink producers, who we have all enjoyed working with, and have helped form the embryo of a network of businesses that produce some of the best products in the Country.
“We are also very grateful to all the other individuals and organisations who have contributed to Somerset Food Links. In particular we are grateful for the grant funds and sponsorship without which we would not have been able to achieve our outputs.
“They include Councillors and officers of Somerset County Council, the five district councils in Somerset, Natural England, The National Trust, and in particular Exmoor National Park Authority, which facilitated much important work on Exmoor.” Somerset Food Links Ltd, a not-for-profit company, was formed in 1999 and has offered support and advice to a growing number of small start up food and drink producers. It is now winding down its affairs after a decade of successful work. The company has created a rich legacy of food and drink events and resources which stretch from one end of the county to the other.
Its achievements include setting up Somerset Farmers Markets Ltd, which now runs 16 farmers markets each month, in communities across the county. It also founded the annual food festivals on Exmoor, in the Mendips, on the Blackdown Hills and Quantock Hills and in South Somerset. It was also integral in the formation of the Wellington Food Town project.
Other huge success stories for Somerset Food Links include:
Somerset Food Links’ work has mainly been project based with an aim of creating sustainable organisations. All of these enterprises are independent and are run by their own boards or members. Somerset Food Links deputy director, Elaine Spencer-White said: “A measure of the resounding success of Somerset Food Links is the fact that during our 10 years we have seen the number of recognised food and drink producers in Somerset more than double.
“Somerset’s food and drink producers produce a fantastic range of goods that is now more easily available to its residents, this creates both direct and indirect employment as well as a healthier population.
“However, there is still much work which could be done if the funding was available as the food and drink sector is never static and there is still growth to be achieved and better infrastructure to be developed.
“If you look at the bigger picture of climate change and rising food prices around the world, then you appreciate that local food supplies need to be nurtured.
“They can play a substantial role in the economy of a rural county like Somerset by providing employment, improving the health of the population, and reducing food miles, which is good for the environment.”
* UKTV 'Local Heroes' poll
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