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<title>Making Local Food Work on BBC Radio 4's Food Programme</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/7</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/7</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sheila Dillon interviews Kath Dalmeny, Policy Director of Sustain and MLFW Board member, about Local Food initiatives. Listen to the whole report and interview here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme_20080608.shtml ]]></description>
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<title>Bridport Schools' Hot Meals Receive National Recognition</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/11</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/11</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Eight primary schools in the Bridport area are celebrating as their innovative hot school meals service has just received national recognition. The service, operated through a partnership with Local Food Links, has been named as a finalist in the prestigious GO Awards for Excellence in Public Procurement. Local Food Link’s Director Tim Crabtree said that everyone was delighted that the Bridport school meals service was being recognised, “Parents made it clear that they wanted to see a school meals service that would create local employment and support food producers in the county. The Bridport schools were therefore reluctant to enter... ]]></description>
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<title>Local Food Shop Guide Launched</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/14</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/14</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Plunkett Foundation have today made available a guide booklet for prospective local food shop owners. Entitled How to open a local food shop - A guide, it is available to download for free from the Making Local Food Work website. Produced in partnership with River Cottage and written by Ken Parsons of the Rural Shops Alliance, this booklet is intended for people who are thinking about opening a shop, which stocks and sells local produce. Including inspirational case studies, advice and helpful templates, it's just the thing to get you started on the road to having your own local... ]]></description>
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<title>September Making Local Food Work newsletter now online</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/108</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/108</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Welcome to the September edition of the MLFW newsletterSeptember is always a busy month for the programme, as we prepare to wind up the year’s financial and impact reporting, but it also provides an opportunity to look back at what we have achieved.As the second year of MLFW draws to a close, we can already see many examples of community food enterprises supported or inspired by our work, as well as a surge in interest from the Press as people begin to understand the importance of re-connecting with food production and supply. Our message is increasing in popularity, as demonstrated... ]]></description>
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<title>Job Vacancy - Project Manager for Community Supported Agriculture and Organic Buying Groups Project</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/109</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/109</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Soil Association is part of an England-wide partnership programme – ‘Making Local Food Work’ -  with 5 other national organisations, funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, to explore the potential for ‘social enterprise’  to provide greater access to local food. Community Supported Agriculture, buying groups and food co-ops are all types of local food ‘social enterprise’. From April 2008 to March 2012 the Soil Association is running a CSA and organic buying groups project. This project will widely promote the concepts of CSA and organic buying groups, provide practical support to new initiatives and organise... ]]></description>
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<title>Making Local Food Work conference held in British Food Fortnight (19 Sept - 4 Oct)</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/111</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/111</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Plans for 2009      The eighth British Food Fortnight takes place from 19 September to 4 October 2009 during Harvest Festival, the traditional time for celebrating our food.The event will celebrate the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in pubs and restaurants, food and cookery lessons in schools and glorious food festivals. Whether you are shopping in supermarkets or local shops, or eating in pubs or restaurants you will be able to enjoy the best of British food during the Fortnight.The ‘Buy British’ message will be promoted in outlets nationwide... ]]></description>
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<title>Conference News - Making Local Food Work: Community Enterprise and the Future of Food</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/112</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/112</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Making Local Food Work: Community Enterprise and the Future of Food Conference – 30th September 2009, BristolWe look forward to seeing you at Community Enterprise and the Future of Food, the second Making Local Food Work conference.  As with the first conference in March this event is a sell out with 250 people attending which is fantastic and demonstrates the appetite for these approaches.Headline speakers at the event includeProfessor Kevin Morgan of Cardiff UniversityTim Crabtree, Director of Local Food LinksBarny Haughton of Bordeaux QuayMore about the event....The people attending the event are a mix of community food enterprises, support organisations,... ]]></description>
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<title>Job Vacancy - Making Local Food Work Administrator</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/113</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/113</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ AdministratorCompetitive salary • Woodstock, OxfordshireAre you excited by the idea of helping sustainable community enterprises to reconnect people with, and increase access to, local food? As the administrator for Plunkett Foundation, the national charity that is the UK's leading exponent of rural social enterprise, you’ll be doing just that, by supporting farmers’ markets, community-owned village shops, community transport schemes, food co-operatives and local food distribution hubs throughout England. You’ll also be a first point of contact for the Making Local Food Work programme, run by Plunkett Foundation. This groundbreaking initiative is supported by £10 million funding by the National Lottery... ]]></description>
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<title>Making Local Food Work Good Food, Good Governance Training Days</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/114</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/114</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Co-operativesUK Good Food, Good Governance Team, as a partner in the Making Local Food Work programme, is organising further interactive training and advice workshops to help community food enterprises to operate in an accountable, efficient and democratic way.And with just three Good Food, Good Governance training days left before Christmas 2009, we wanted to send a quick reminder to ensure you don’t miss out!Over the next few months, we will be running Governance and Legal Structures training days across the country in the following cities: Sheffield – 17 November at The Circle Newcastle – 25 November at Ouseburn City... ]]></description>
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<title>New Making Local Food Work report - Community Investment in Community Supported Agriculture</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/115</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/115</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A new Making Local Food Work report has just been released.   Community Investment in Community Supported Agriculture was produced by community shares expert Jim Brown for the Community Supported Agriculture Strand of Making Local Food Work.The report can be downloaded from Making Local Food Work partner the Soil Association's website.  Follow the link belowhttp://tiny.cc/oaegs ]]></description>
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<title>News of Community Supported Agriculture training events through Making Local Food Work</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/116</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/116</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ As part of our work to develop a network of CSAs throughout England under the Making Local Food Work programme, we are running a series of CSA training days over the winter months.  All these events will take place in Leeds or Sheffield, and are free to CSA practitioners (local, organic lunch included!).Although they will be useful as individual training events, I throroughly recommend you attend them all if you are able to. They are being led by experts in the various fields, and are designed to  provide you with the technical knowledge and confidence to launch or expand your... ]]></description>
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<title>PRESS RELEASE - Government backs social enterprise model for farmers markets</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/117</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/117</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ 14 October 2009 Farmers’ markets run by social enterprises should be supported due to the potential benefits they provide to communities say a new Government report on traditional retail markets.The report backed the approach taken by Making Local Food Work in helping support the development of social enterprise models of farmers’ markets as a way of providing a vehicle for producers to provide local food to their communities.The Collaborative Farmers’ Market project is part of Making Local Food Work, a programme delivered by seven national organisations which helps people to take ownership of their food and where it comes from.  The... ]]></description>
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<title>EVENT - Finding the Plot: Access to land for food growing groups in urban areas</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/118</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/118</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sustain's Local Action on Food Network and The Women's Environmental Network (WEN) are jointly organising this event for community food groups and individuals from across the country that are facing challenges in obtaining land for sustainable food production. This event will allow attendees to share skills and experience on how, through policy and practice, access to land can be improved across the UK.Sustain are a partner of Making Local Food Work. The day will include:Talks from experts and keynote speaker Rosie Boycott, chair of the London Food Board.Lunch and an exclusive tour of the RISC edible roof gardenAn afternoon programme of issue... ]]></description>
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<title>Community Food Enterprise Walton Lea Project received £20,000 from the Secret Millionaire!</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/119</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/119</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Walton Lea Project, a social enterprise which has been supported by the Enterprise Support project of Making Local Food Work received a visit from the Secret Millionaire a few weeks ago.  On the programme broadcast today (14th October), the Walton Lea Project received £20,000 from the Secret Millionaire to help develop their work.The Walton Lea Project (WLP) was established in 1998 to provide supported employment, training and life chance for adults with learning difficulties. The project is based near Warrington within the setting of a Victorian walled garden where plants and fruit and vegetables are grown and sold to... ]]></description>
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<title>World Food Day - 16 October 2009</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/120</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/120</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Today (16th October) is World Food Day organised by the Food and Agriculture Orgaization of the United Nations (FAO).Below is some information from the FAO website.Achieving Food Security in Times of CrisisAt a time when the global economic crisis dominates the news, the world needs to be reminded that not everyone works in offices and factories. The crisis is stalking the small-scale farms and rural areas of the world, where 70 percent of the world's hungry live and work. With an estimated increase of 105 million hungry people in 2009, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, meaning that... ]]></description>
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<title>New! Finance tutorial for shop managers, staff and volunteers.</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/121</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/121</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Enteprise Support project have produced a financial management training manual for community shop workers. A very comprehensive document that can stand alone as a tutorial or be used in conjunction with an associated training course. The manual can downloaded free from the Social Business Toolbox.If someone from your shop is interested in taking part in a training course, then please get in touch with Nicole Hamilton at Plunkett. nicole.hamilton@plunkett.co.uk Tel 01993 814383.    ]]></description>
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<title>New! Finance tutorial for shop managers, staff and volunteers.</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/121</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/121</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Enteprise Support project have produced a financial management training manual for community shop workers. A very comprehensive document that can stand alone as a tutorial or be used in conjunction with an associated training course. The manual can downloaded free from the Social Business Toolbox.If someone from your shop is interested in taking part in a training course, then please get in touch with Nicole Hamilton at Plunkett. nicole.hamilton@plunkett.co.uk Tel 01993 814383.    ]]></description>
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<title>Enterprise Support for The Peoples Supermarket</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/128</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/128</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Enterprise Support project are pleased to announce support for the exciting  'Peoples Supermarket' based in London. Led by charismatic chef and restaurant owner Arthur Potts Dawson, The Peoples Supermarket, currently in planning, aims to change the way we shop and buy food. This is a supermarket that is run by the people, for the people, selling the best food at the lowest possible prices.Based on a tried and tested model from The United States, this community owned supermarket will be staffed largely by volunteer members, who will enjoy discounted shopping in return for a few hours work each month. Enterprise Support consultant... ]]></description>
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<title>Enterprise Support for The Peoples Supermarket</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/128</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/128</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Enterprise Support project are pleased to announce support for the exciting  'Peoples Supermarket' based in London. Led by charismatic chef and restaurant owner Arthur Potts Dawson, The Peoples Supermarket, currently in planning, aims to change the way we shop and buy food. This is a supermarket that is run by the people, for the people, selling the best food at the lowest possible prices.Based on a tried and tested model from The United States, this community owned supermarket will be staffed largely by volunteer members, who will enjoy discounted shopping in return for a few hours work each month. Enterprise Support consultant... ]]></description>
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<title>Communities must be engaged in the future of food, says Making Local Food Work</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/129</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/129</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Government’s Food 2030 report needs to go a step further by engaging communities in food production and food security according to Making Local Food Work, a partnership of organisations which help communities to take ownership of their food and where it comes from.Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation which leads the Making Local Food Work partnership said; “While we welcome this as the first major food report in sixty years, we feel that the vision set out in the report does not reflect the change in the relationships that consumers increasingly want to have with the food... ]]></description>
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<title>CONFERENCE: Making Local Food Work for People and Planet - 5th May, Manchester</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/135</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/135</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ HOLD THE DATE! 5th May 2010Friends Meeting House, ManchesterOverviewMaking Local Food Work for People and Planet is the essential national conference for all those interested in community food enterprises.  This event, held in Manchester for the first time, will explore how community food enterprises benefit both people and planet.Community food enterprises come in many different forms from farmers’ markets to community-owned shops and Community Supported Agriculture enterprises.  What is the role and potential for such enterprises in making local food work for people and planet?The event is the third in a series of conference hosted by Making Local Food Work, a... ]]></description>
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<title>BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!! Making Local Food Work for People and Planet</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/137</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/137</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!! DOWNLOAD BOOKING FORM (pdf) (Word doc)5th May 2010Friends Meeting House, ManchesterOverviewMaking Local Food Work for People and Planet is the essential national conference for all those interested in community food enterprises.  This event, held in Manchester for the first time, will explore how community food enterprises benefit both people and planet.Community food enterprises come in many different forms from farmers’ markets to community-owned shops and Community Supported Agriculture enterprises.  What is the role and potential for such enterprises in making local food work for people and planet?The event is the third in a series of conference hosted... ]]></description>
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<title>Community-led food enterprises are up for the challenge of climate change says new report</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/140</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/140</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 08:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Community food enterprises can play a role in helping to tackle the challenge of climate change through empowering local people and communities to take action.  This is the main message from a new report launched this week [Wednesday 5th May] at a major national conference in Manchester.The report ‘Local food and climate change – the role of community food enterprises’ identified the potential for communities on a local level across England to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in every part of the food chain, including transport.Peter Couchman, Director of Making Local Food Work and Chief Executive of the... ]]></description>
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<title>Latest Food Co-ops Newsletter</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/141</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/141</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 09:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Making Local Food Work partners Sustain have been busy creating a series of food co-op and buying group fact sheets in partnership with the Soil Association, which will be available to download from their website very soon and also in printed format. These are focussing on different settings for food co-ops including universities, schools, workplaces, children's centres and more. If you are interested in getting a copy of any of these please let us know foodcoops@sustainweb.org We have also been updating the food co-ops finder database to make it easier for you to add a new food co-op or update your entry.... ]]></description>
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<title>Loxley Valley Community Farm on Radio 4's On Your Farm</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/142</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/142</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Loxley Valley Community Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture venture, was featured on BBC Radio 4's On Your Farm on Sunday.Loxley Valley Community Farm is a community-led smallholding near Sheffield offering local people the opportunity to produce their own food and become more involved in their community. The farm has set up a local food cooperative that produces nutritious, safe and affordably priced food for members. It also works with the local community to promote the benefits of local food and sustainable farming.Run by a group of volunteers, all of the farm work is shared so anyone can get involved, regardless... ]]></description>
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<title>Community farms offer bright future - our letter featured in the Farmers Weekly this week</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/144</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/144</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Adam Bedford’s column (Opinion 14 May), acknowledges the growth of community supported agriculture within the UK.Community supported agriculture, where communities/individuals buy into a farm, has incredible potential to address a range of issues affecting farming today.  It could bring more land into productive use and provide a way in for younger people with a long term interest in farming.Photo: Canalside Community Agriculture, WarwickshireIt also provides opportunities for farmers to work with members of their local community to farm areas of their land for mutual benefit, or to be employed directly by community groups to grow food.  And it reduces the... ]]></description>
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<title>The People’s Supermarket opens! Communal, cheap and democratic</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/145</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/145</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The People’s Supermarket has opened its doors this week with one simple idea: people can benefit from cheaper shopping bills if they give up some of their time to work in the shop.The shop, developed as a co-operative, was based around ideas popular in the US and they specifically drew inspiration from Park Slope Food Co-op in New York.  At The People’s Supermarket, a not-for-profit venture, members are asked to work four hours a month and in return can expect savings of at least ten per cent on their shopping, compared to non members.The People’s Supermarket will be situated in... ]]></description>
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<title>Allowing temporary signs to be used by farmers' markets</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/148</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/148</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Making Local Food Work recently posted on the Government’s Your Freedom website highlighting the planning restrictions of using signage for local Farmers’ Markets. Due to planning legislation which came into being before farmers’ markets really came into prominence, farmers’ markets are not able to use signs to promote themselves.  Through Making Local Food Work, The Plunkett Foundation and FARMA (The National Farmers’ Retail &amp; Markets Association) have undertaken retail health checks with a wide variety of farmers’ markets across England.  We know from this work that these signs are the best way to let people know that a farmers’ market... ]]></description>
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<title>Community Food Enterprises Benefit Over 1.4 Million</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/151</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/151</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[  A shining example of how communities are taking more control of their futures came today with the announcement that over 1.4 million people have already benefitted from a nationwide initiative to support community food enterprises.The Making Local Food Work programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, reported that it had already exceeded its target of reaching out to 1 million people by 2012, with a staggering 1.4million people being provided with better access to local food by sustainable community enterprises. Making Local Food Work is a 5 year programme which aims to help communities across England to... ]]></description>
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<title>New project launched to investigate Local Food Systems</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/155</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/155</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Making Local Food Work is delighted to announce the launch of a new project to investigate the practicalities that make local food systems work. The project will be an exciting new strand of Making Local Food Work, a five year, £10m programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund to invest in local food initiatives in rural and urban England, increasing access to fresh, healthy food with good, traceable origins. As part of the new project, Making Local Food Work will be working with 4 to 6 communities – both rural and urban – to develop resilient, co-operative activities to improve the longevity and reach... ]]></description>
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<title>Fair Food: New research finds fairness in food a growing concern for consumers</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/156</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/156</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Two thirds of consumers agree fairness in food is of growing importance, new research reveals New research published this month has confirmed fair food is well and truly on the consumer agenda, with concern for where and how food is produced becoming an increasing priority for consumers as well as MEPs, who last week backed plans to ensure a fairer food supply chain. The research was commissioned as part of the Fair Food Campaign for Making Local Food Work, a five-year £10m programme funded through the Big Lottery Fund. The research revealed that fairness in food is a driving force behind consumer attitudes... ]]></description>
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<title>September issue of Making Local Food Work newsletter available to download</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/158</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/158</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Download the latest issue of Making Local Food Work's newsletter here. &#160;  This month:Calling Communities! New MLFW project launched to investigate local food systems...New research proves fairness in food is high on consumer agenda...Support for community food enterprises benefits over 1.4 million people...Connect with MLFW via our refreshed Facebook page!The People’s Supermarket steps in to rescue florist...MLFW Climate Change report available to download...Case Studies and Resources:Bungay Country Markets benefit from Skillshare Scheme...How to start a food co-op in…new factsheets available to download...Farmers’ Markets group discover ‘double value’ from weekly trading...Wells Farmers’ Market goes from strength to strength...Training and Events:Getting Started: How to set... ]]></description>
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<title>New guide to starting and growing a wholefood co-operative now available</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/163</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/163</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A comprehensive publication has been produced by Unicorn Grocery Worker Co-operative in Manchester which provides all the information needed to start up and run a wholefood co-operative.The publication was supported by Sustain’s Food Co-ops and Buying Groups project and Making Local Food Work. Unicorn Grocery Worker Co-operative was established in 1996. Maintaining an approach of direct purchasing and competitive pricing, it has become one of the largest and most successful wholefood outlets in the UK, named The Observer Food Monthly's 'Best Independent Shop' and Radio Four Food Programme's 'Best Local Food Retailer in 2008. In this alternative model of trade,... ]]></description>
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<title>Community-owned Village Shops: A Better Form of Business</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/166</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/166</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The most comprehensive survey into the health of the community-owned shop sector ever to be undertaken sees its results being made public this week by rural communities charity the Plunkett Foundation. The report, which draws on information from community-owned shops across the UK, assesses the health and wealth of the sector today and provides an in-depth analysis into its profitability and contribution to the local economy. Community-owned shops have been one of the leading success stories of the social enterprise movement in the UK to date.  At the beginning of 2011 there were 251 community-owned shops, with new ones opening... ]]></description>
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<title>Foresight Report: Global Food and Farming Futures</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/167</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/167</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In a report to be published this week, scientists will conclude food production will have to increase by between 70 and 100 per cent over the next 40 years in an attempt to tackle the unprecedented challenge of feeding the world in 2050.Despite this, the area of land given over to agriculture will remain static, or even decrease as a result of land degradation and climate change, and the global population is expected to rise from 6.8 billion at present to about 9.2 billion by mid-century.The Government-appointed advisers are expected to warn that ‘business as usual’ in terms of food... ]]></description>
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<title>Project to explore local food systems gets underway</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/168</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/168</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Making Local Food Work is delighted to announce the launch of Local Food Systems, a new project supporting individual food groups across the country to work together co-operatively, increasing the impact of locally-produced food on their communities. The project will work with six clusters of community food enterprises, which are:The Kindling Trust – a fledgling social enterprise based in Manchester striving for a just and ecologically sustainable society. They wish to demonstrate a more viable local economic system that brings together the countryside and the city, revitalising communities and encouraging local resilience. Kindling is working towards this in a number... ]]></description>
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<title>Primetime TV slot for The People's Supermarket series</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/169</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/169</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The People’s Supermarket is set to be the subject of a brand new series on Channel 4 starting this Sunday 5 February at 8pm. The sustainable food co-operative established by chef Arthur Potts-Dawson (pictured right) had already captured the hearts of Londoners with his clear ethos of benefiting the community, giving them good, healthy food at a reasonable price both to them and the producer, and has now caught the imagination of Channel 4 film makers, who have spent the last two years filming Arthur’s unique journey to a more sustainable shopping experience. The People’s Supermarket’s vision is to create a commercially... ]]></description>
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<title>New report reveals £330m gap between price and cost of milk production</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/170</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/170</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A staggering £330 million gap between the price paid for milk and the costs of producing it have been revealed in a report published by the NFU today.The Cost of Milk Production reveals that British dairy farmers are, on average, losing more than three pence on every litre of milk they produce. With 11 billion litres of milk produced annually on dairy farms across the country this equals a massive £330 million gap between production costs and the price received by British dairy farmers.The report also shows that by far the biggest factor adding pressures to a sector already struggling... ]]></description>
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<title>Smallest community-owned shop in the country set to open, with fantastic local food offering</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/171</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/171</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A community-owned shop in Yorkshire which is thought to be the smallest of its kind in the country is set to enjoy its official opening this weekend by celebrity chef and local personality, Rosemary Shrager. Photo courtesy of Stuart Boulton/Northern Echo The appropriately-named ‘Little Shop’ in Hudswell, North Yorkshire, is a mere ten feet by ten feet, yet provides a vital and much-used service to the entire community. Although already having been trading for the past month, The Little Shop will enjoy its official opening on Saturday 19 February at 12pm. Owned and run by the community itself, The Little Shop... ]]></description>
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<title>Top accolades in national awards for Winchester Farmers' Market</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/172</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/172</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ High praise from judges as Winchester scoops Best UK Urban Farmers’ Market 2011 awardWinchester Farmers’ Market has been hailed as ‘a beacon for other farmers’ markets’ in this year’s National Farmers’ Retail &amp; Markets Association (FARMA) awards, which recognize the very best practice in directly connecting producer and consumer through local food. The results were announced at the annual Farm &amp; More conference, at which judges praised Winchester for its ‘consistent hard work, business monitoring and innovation which has maintained the market’s high standards for over a decade.’ Winchester Farmers’ market was established in 1999 and is now the largest... ]]></description>
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<title>Everything you 'knead to know' about bread...</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/173</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/173</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Real Bread Campaign has just published Knead to Know: the Real Bread starter, the introductory guide to bringing Real Bread back to the heart of your local community.   In his introduction to the guide, Campaign ambassador Richard Bertinet, the award-winning author of Dough and Crust, founder of The Bertinet Kitchen &amp; Bakery, and BBC Food Champion 2010, says: ‘Whether you are a professional baker, a home baker who would like to turn a hobby into a career or just someone who loves Real Bread, then this handbook will become an invaluable tool.’  Available from http://www.realbreadcampaign.org as a limited-edition book... ]]></description>
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<title>Calling all ethical businesses...</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/174</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/174</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Whether it’s your favourite local grocer or an ethical campaigner you feel is doing their part to promote greener living, your last chance to vote or nominate them in the Observer’s Ethical Awards 2011 is fast approaching. Categories include Local Retailer, Ethical Business, Conservationist and Big Idea, among others, so plenty of opportunities to show your support for your local community food enterprise or community-owned shop. You can nominate or vote in the awards by visiting http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/observer-ethical-awards-2011. ]]></description>
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<title>Press Response: Food you can trust is needed to combat falsely labeled local food</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/175</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/175</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A change in approach is needed to combat falsely labeled local food.  This is the message from Making Local Food Work in response to the report that a fifth of products tested in 300 shops, restaurants, markets and factories make false claims about their provenance.Local Government Regulation (LGR) inspectors, testing 558 products, found for example ‘Welsh lamb’ that came from New Zealand, ‘Somerset butter’ from Scotland and ‘Devon ham’ from Denmark. The LGR said the origin of a further 14% of products was unverifiable, so claims they were local were assumed to be false too. The survey also found cases... ]]></description>
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<title>Rooting community food in an enterprising future - programme announced</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/178</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/178</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Local food has made national headlines recently with the news that a third of British adults will be growing their own vegetables this summer in an effort to combat rising food costs in times of austerity. Although this is an encouraging statistic for the local food movement, there still remain two thirds of adults unable to participate due to lack of knowledge, skills and various perceived barriers such as not having access to an allotment. But allotments are not the only way of gaining access to locally-produced food. The national Making Local Food Work programme works with both urban and... ]]></description>
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<title>Campaigners urge public to back British food for Olympics</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/179</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/179</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2011 11:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ &#160;A campaign targeting pubs, cafes and restaurants has been launched to encourage them to use more British food during the Olympics.The Must Be British campaign is urging the catering industry to back Britain during the 2012 Olympics by increasing the amount of British food they serve up to the additional 300,000 visitors that will pour into the country for the games. Ruth Anslow, founding member of the campaign, explains: “This is a massive opportunity to give British-grown food a boost by getting it on menus everywhere during the Olympics, and making sure millions of pounds stays in the British economy.But... ]]></description>
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<title>Groundbreaking project maps local food's contribution to economy and communities</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/180</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/180</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 10:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has published six location reports showing the scale and impact of local food webs in towns and cities across England.These reports are the first part of extensive research into how local food shapes and benefits local communities, economies and the countryside. The results show that local food webs can deliver a wide range of important social, economic and environmental benefits. The six reports from pilot locations published today are: Birstall, Hastings, Kenilworth, Knutsford, Sheffield and Totnes.Graeme Willis, Senior Local Food Campaigner at CPRE, says: “The new Field to Fork reports are the first findings... ]]></description>
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<title>Watch our conference happening live on our website!</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/181</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/181</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 14:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ For those who were unable to attend our annual conference, Rooting community food in an enterprising future, on Thursday 12 May, a live stream was broadcast on our website which can still be viewed.A full detailed write-up is also available, along with downloadable versions of presentations from the day, from this link:http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/conferences.cfm &#160; ]]></description>
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<title>Localism and food: How could the Localism Bill affect community food enterprises?</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/182</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/182</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 11:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[       Plunkett Foundation’s Annual Seminar explores the challenges and opportunities presented by the Localism Bill for community food and other forms of rural social enterprisesWednesday 8th June 2011Church House Conference CentreWestminster, London, SW1P 3NZThe Localism Bill, entering its third reading in the House of Commons this week, is part of the Government’s proposal to devolve power from central and local government into the hands of communities themselves. Its potential is far-reaching and will affect all community groups, but the exact challenges and opportunities it might present aren’t particularly transparent. The Plunkett Foundation – a rural communities charity supporting community food and... ]]></description>
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<title>Measuring the impact of community food</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/183</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/183</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 May 2011 09:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ National drive launched to measure the real social and economic impact of the UK’s community food enterprisesA national drive has been launched in an attempt to measure the real social and economic impact of community food enterprises in the UK.Led by Making Local Food Work – a Big Lottery funded programme delivered by the Plunkett Foundation – the research project aims to address the current problem that exists throughout the entire third sector of measuring the true impact of social enterprises. The impact of social enterprises is notoriously hard to measure, given that their objectives are primarily social rather than... ]]></description>
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<title>Community food and social housing - event from the Fresh Ideas Network</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/184</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/184</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2011 11:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Fresh Ideas Network is hosting an event aimed at showcasing and sharing ideas from organisations and projects currently involved in integrating sustainable food projects into social housing environments. Thriving Communities: Building Communities and Sustainable Food Projects will take place on Wednesday 22 June at the Lighthouse Conference and Media Centre in Brighton, East Sussex (http://www.lighthouse.org.uk), from 9:30am to 3pm. Organisations and companies: £60, Community Food Projects and Volunteers: Free. To register for a delegate place, visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1117204589The programme for the day will include: Presentations from ‘On the National Menu’ community food projects and national housing policy, (Town and Country Foundation,... ]]></description>
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<title>Join us at Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival!</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/185</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/185</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The Making Local Food Work team from the Plunkett Foundation will be exhibiting at the food and music event of the year, The Big Feastival, in London at the beginning of July.Brainchild of Jamie Oliver, The Big Feastival brings together one of the most exciting line-ups of the summer with celebrity chefs, restaurants and food producers from across the country. With a focus on family, food and fun, the Big Feastival is a must-see for everyone! We’ll be manning a very special stand across the three-day festival, which takes place on Clapham Common in London 1-3 July 2011. For more... ]]></description>
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<title>New body to referee between suppliers and retailers</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/186</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/186</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A new independent body to adjudicate between suppliers and retailers and protect against unfair practices has moved a step closer. Consumer Minister Edward Davey published the draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill and invited pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill by Parliament. Ministers are determined that suppliers should be protected against retailers passing on excessive risks or unexpected costs. The Bill seeks to establish an adjudicator to monitor and enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice who will be able to: • act as arbitrator in disputes between retailers and their direct suppliers• start investigations about potential breaches of the Code based on complaints... ]]></description>
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<title>Food and Farming Academy launched</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/187</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/187</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sparsholt College has launched the Central Southern Food and Farming Academy to boost continued learning in agriculture and the development of new skills. Collectively, with leading employers from this sector, the College is looking to provide career opportunities for 15 and 16 year olds - who are interested in the agricultural food industry - with the focus of continuous professional development during a four-year programme.The new initiative includes knowledge development followed by a period of apprenticeship to acquire further skills and qualifications.The companies involved in the academy will provide apprenticeships on a ‘shared-basis’, enabling students to move between businesses to... ]]></description>
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<title>The Times launches Shop Local Campaign</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/188</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/188</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[  National broadsheet The Times has launched a campaign to encourage consumers to shop locally. The Shop Local Campaign, which began on 11 June and runs until 23 July, gives readers of The Times a chance to collect coupons which can then be redeemed in participating local independent shops for discounted goods. The Times Shop Local campaign is an effort to help shoppers discover the delights of their local, specialist produce shops, from butchers to bakers and from fromageries to delicatessens, farm shops and community-owned shops.The Plunkett Foundation is encouraging community-owned shops and local food producers who are not yet participating... ]]></description>
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<title>Community fights for London farmland</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/189</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/189</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A community in London is fighting to save local farmland from being turned into car storage space.Residents of Woodmansterne, near Banstead, are hoping to raise enough money to purchase the land and turn it into a Community-owned Farm, offering people the chance to grow their own food, learn about where their food comes from and socialize with other members of their community. With £580,000 already being raised through pledges, the community is now exploring different options for raising the same amount again in order to purchase the land before the end of June. They hope to follow in the footsteps... ]]></description>
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<title>Measuring the impact of community food - free event for enterprises</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/190</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/190</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Free event for community food enterprises to measure their real social and economic impactA national drive has been launched in an attempt to measure the real social and economic impact of community food enterprises in the UK.Led by Making Local Food Work – a Big Lottery funded programme delivered by the Plunkett Foundation – the research project aims to address the current problem that exists throughout the entire third sector of measuring the true impact of social enterprises. The impact of social enterprises is notoriously hard to measure, given that their objectives are primarily social rather than profit driven. However,... ]]></description>
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<title>Lifelong local food supporter awarded MBE</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/191</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/191</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A food producer in Taunton has been awarded an MBE for Services to Food Producing Businesses in the South West in the 2011 Birthday Honours List.June Small of Charlton Orchard, Creech St Michael near Taunton, has devoted her life to promoting locally-produced food, both in the South West and across the country. June’s mission began when her family’s livelihood was threatened by the influx of French apples. She united other women farmers in Kent and together they established the Women’s Food and Farming Union (WFU) as a way of promoting the value of British produce. Today, the WFU has representatives... ]]></description>
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<title>Top awards win for Liverpool community food initiatives</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/192</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/192</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Three Liverpool community food initiatives involved in a countrywide project to encourage people to eat more local food have been honoured in top regional awards for their contribution to making Merseyside a greener place to live. Homeless Hostels Food Alliance with YMCA; Windsor Grass Roots Green Shoots with Squash Nutrition and the Fork to Fork project with Rotters Community composting were all finalists in the It’s Our World Merseyside Environmental Awards 2011, with Homeless Hostels Food Alliance winning overall. All three initiatives, which alongside others make up the Liverpool Food Alliance, are part of the Making Local Food Work programme,... ]]></description>
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<title>Food and Spatial Planning: How planning can support a healthy and sustainable food system</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/193</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/193</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:08:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Bookings are still being accepted for the Food and Spatial Planning conference, which will be held at University College London on thee 15th of July.  Spatial planning in our towns, cities and countryside shapes the food system, from influencing our food shopping and eating habits, to safe-guarding agricultural land for production and allocating spaces for urban food growing. This event will explore how Planners, Local Authorities and Food and community organisations can influence and use planning policy to help create a more sustainable food system.  Themes will include• Retail diversity and supermarkets • Healthy food environments • Land use for urban and commercial food... ]]></description>
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<title>BBC Radio 4's Food and Farming Awards</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/194</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/194</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ BBC Radio 4 is gearing up for its 12th Food and Farming Awards, searching for the best, most inspiring food producers, farmers, markets, caterers, campaigners and retailers in a miasma of economic gloom. Food inflation on the high street and record-breaking commodity prices are headline news alongside sombre reports of belt-tightening and job losses all around. But the BBC believes this is the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic producers and retailers that are helping to make good food an important part of people’s lives. The BBC is currently calling for nominations for a range of categories, from... ]]></description>
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<title>Farming Together: The future of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the UK</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/195</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/195</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Friday 16 September, 9am - 5:30pmAt-Bristol, Harbourside, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5DB  As part of its involvement with Making Local Food Work, the Soil Association is hosting a one-day conference in September to celebrate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), exploring the diversity of enterprises, hearing from CSAs overseas and looking to the future of CSA development in the UK.The day will provide an opportunity for community supported agriculture enterprises to come together, to experience being part of a bigger network on a local, regional and national scale. The conference will create opportunities to network, to share good practice and to hear from interesting models. In... ]]></description>
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<title>Food enterprises to benefit from top legal and finance advice</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/196</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/196</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Co-operatives UK launches ‘most comprehensive’ suite of resources for community food enterprisesThe most comprehensive suite of resources ever to be developed for community enterprises has been launched today by Co-operatives UK, to give community enterprises access to top quality financial, legal and governance advice.Co-operatives UK, the trade association for co-operative enterprises, has developed the resources with nationally recognised experts as part of the Making Local Food Work programme, a £10m project funded by the Big Lottery Fund that supports community food enterprises across England. The suite of resources, available both online and as hard copies, is free to use and... ]]></description>
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<title>National community shop event will encourage more shops to stock local</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/197</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/197</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Stocking local; Growing SalesA national community shop networking event: Sourcing local food from your region. The popular series of national networking events for community shops is coming to the South East for the first time.Focusing on the importance of stocking local food, this event will show you how to increase sales, widen your customer base and help your community access good quality, fresh local produce.  The South East has an extensive range of local produce; this event will display the variety and richness of local produce from Sussex and the surrounding counties as well as giving you a unique opportunity... ]]></description>
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<title>New support for communities across the UK to reverse rural decline through enterprise</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/198</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/198</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Village SOS Active campaign will see national advice line &amp; expert support rolled out to rural communitiesA new campaign is set to be launched to help people in rural areas reverse the trend of decline by helping them set up and run community enterprises. Village SOS Active is a campaign by the Big Lottery Fund (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk) which is being delivered with rural communities charity the Plunkett Foundation, in partnership with Co-operatives UK, Locality, and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). It will be launched on 10th August 2011 as part of the BBC’s new six-part series, Village SOS. The... ]]></description>
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<title>Free finance and marketing training for trading Community Food Enterprises</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/199</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/199</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A national series of free events has been launched for already trading community food enterprises to give them access to expert financial and marketing training to help ensure they are sustainable and successful businesses. As part of the specialist enterprise support offered by the Plunkett Foundation through its Making Local Food Work programme, the series of 8 events will take place across the country to encourage the maximum number of enterprises to take advantage of the free support.Written and presented by Simon Michaels of F3 and Maurice McCartney of Fresh Management Solutions, the day-long workshops are split into two sessions:Morning... ]]></description>
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<title>Colne Valley declares food independence </title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/200</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/200</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Event takes Colne Valley a step closer to self-sufficiency On Monday 12th September, an event was held that saw business, community and public sector organisations in the Colne Valley declare independence from global and industrial foods.The event, organised by a group of four local organisations, invited local enterprises to join with them in signing a manifesto of independence from the corporate and global food system. Taking place during Colne Valley Food Festival, it will see representatives of key businesses, shops, community organisations, restaurants, schools, politicians and the local authority all in attendance.Attendees at the event. The last nine months has... ]]></description>
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<title>Community Food Enterprises lead the way in shaping government policy</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/201</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/201</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Westminster event highlights vital contribution of Community Food Enterprises (CFEs) in delivering and shaping government agendasAn event was held last week to highlight the key role community food enterprises play in delivering and shaping government policy.The event, organised by rural communities charity Plunkett Foundation and held at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), brought together community food enterprises from the South West to showcase the vital contribution they make to the food sector to Defra ministers and employees. June and Robin Small of Taunton Farmers' Market. Also present at the event were Plunkett Foundation’s partner organisations Social Enterprise UK, Co-operatives... ]]></description>
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<title>Calling all students!</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/202</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/202</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ As students across the country descend on university campuses this week, Making Local Food Work has launched a campaign to increase students’ access to local, healthy food. The campaign, launched last week, sees information packs being rolled out to universities across the country to inspire and encourage students to take advantage of the enterprising projects already happening in their student communities. Consisting of a mini-guide to getting involved in a growing project, pre-loaded USB sticks with factsheets, useful tips, resources, websites and marketing materials, the campaign hopes to increase awareness of the benefits of local food among the student community.The... ]]></description>
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<title>West Cornwall local food directory launched to boost sales</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/204</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/204</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A new West Cornwall local food directory has been launched that will boost sales for local food producers across the region.The directory was launched at a special event organised by Transition Helston and Penwith Food Groups. It saw around 50 local food producers and businesses in attendance to join the directory and add their voice to how it should be promoted to the wider community. The directory is available free online  – www.westcornwallfood.org.uk – and is designed to be a brand new marketing tool that will help local producers better connect with their community and potential customers. Speaking at the... ]]></description>
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<title>Local food projects sweep the board in top awards</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/205</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/205</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Two initiatives to have been supported by Making Local Food Work have been crowned winners in top national food awards, and three others receiving recognition. Brockweir and Hewelsfied Village Shop and The True Food Co-operative in Berkshire have been named Best Local Food Retailer and Best Retail Initiative respectively in BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards. The Awards, which took place yesterday at a private ceremony and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 tomorrow, Friday 25th November, celebrate the people and organisations behind the best of British food, and all entries are nominated by BBC audiences. The winners... ]]></description>
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<title>Simply Start Up - a practical guide for community enterprises</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/207</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/207</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A new guide for anyone involved in the creation of an enterprise that will be owned by, run by, and supported by the community in which it operates has been published.The guide – Simply Start Up – was written by Co-operatives UK and Plunkett Foundation as part of the Making Local Food Work programme and uses community food enterprises as examples of what is possible through co-operation, although the guidance applies to a vast range of community enterprises, from taking over a local shop, starting a community-owned and run newspaper or cinema, to building a community-owned windfarm. Providing an easy... ]]></description>
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<title>Merry Christmas from Making Local Food Work</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/208</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/208</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Jennifer Smith, Head of Programme Management for Making Local Food Work, wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!“2011 has been yet another fantastic year for Making Local Food Work.  I’d like to say a massive thank you to all staff, consultants, mentors and associates who have shared their energy and expertise to support so many community food enterprises.  Through our joint work we have now supported 1,312 groups---this is double our original target.  “For me, I’m daily amazed at the accomplishments of so many of the local community enterprises we’ve had the opportunity to support.  In the... ]]></description>
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<title>Top names unite to debate future of community food at landmark event</title>
<link>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/210</link>
<guid>http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/news/news.cfm/newsid/210</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University has added his name to a roll call of top names at a landmark event that will debate the future of the community food sector.Professor Tim Lang, the UK’s leading expert on Food Policy, will join experts at Making Local Food Our Future, a free to attend landmark conference where 500 people are expected to debate and discuss the future of the community food movement. He joins Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of Plunkett Foundation, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK and Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund’s Chief Executive at what... ]]></description>
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