Queensland Premier Anna Bligh last week launched a new initiative, in conjunction with  Woolworths, designed boost to primary producers in North Queensland. Woolworths has introduced “Nth Qld Grown” labelling in its supermarkets across North Queensland, so that customers can easily identify locally grown produce. “This is a fantastic initiative by Woolworths to promote locally grown produce and make it easier for consumers to identify North Queensland produce in North Queensland stores,”Bligh... ...Read more »

Nearly a third (30%) of shoppers claim to have specifically purchased locally-produced food over the last month, double the number from 2006, according to new consumer research released by food and grocery analysts IGD. Support for ethically produced foods in general has withstood the pressures of an 18-month recession and is in fact growing. When asked about food they have specifically purchased over the last month, shoppers responded: * 30% said locally produced food (up from 15% in 2006) * 27%... ...Read more »

ABARE, Australia’s leading commodity research group, has disputed the widely held belief that local food is better for the environment, labelling food miles as a “misleading indicator” that could in fact increase carbon emissions. The term food miles has been bandied around a lot in the press over recent years and has led to a steady increase in consumer demand for locally grown produce. However, despite consumers demanding more local food, research has also suggested that most... ...Read more »

The Victorian Government is urging Victorians to buy local produce in a new campaign launched this week. Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the campaign would be supported by a $400,000 Government sponsorship and will highlight the high quality produce that can be found in Victoria. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to secure jobs across Victoria and to continue to protect and grow our tourism industry,” Ms Allan suggested. “Victoria’s food... ...Read more »

As the debate about local food and the concept of food miles heats up in Australia, new research from Mintel shows that “buying local” still has many fans to earn in America. According to Mintel’s exclusive consumer survey on local shopping, just one in six adults (17%) buy local products and services as often as possible. These ‘True Locals’ are willing to pay a higher price and they’ll even buy local if competitive products are better. This figure has been found... ...Read more »

In a sign of the times, South Australian Premier Mike Rann has announced a new campaign encouraging South Australians to buy and spend locally. The promotion follows on from the ‘Buy South Australian, it’s better for you’ campaign and is indicative of a growing trend towards ‘local’ food in many other regions across the world. “Now that the frenzy of Christmas is over, we have a chance to catch our breath and really consider the impact of our purchasing,”... ...Read more »

British Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has called on supermarkets and food companies to give shoppers clearer information on where their food comes from.He made the call as he urged people to buy more local produce and stressed that protecting the environment is vital to increasing food production. “When you buy a car you know its service history. When you buy a house you get a detailed survey. So why do we accept knowing so much less about what we are putting into our bodies?” Mr... ...Read more »

There has been much made of local food products this year in westernised countries as the push toward “home grown” has stepped up in the wake of, both the concerns early this year about the future of the world’s food supply, and the economic crisis. The issue of food miles has been paramount to the debate, with arguments that the long distance freighting of food consumes too much fuel and energy. The UK has been one of the most prominent in the push toward local as some supermarkets... ...Read more »

A leading academic and legal expert on food believes there is a growing body of evidence to indicate that the concept of “food miles” is badly flawed and might well breach Australia’s free trade obligations if ever it was introduced as a mandatory labelling requirement nationwide. Joe Lederman, Managing Principal of FoodLegal and Adjunct Professor of Food Law at Deakin University, advised that a growing number of supermarkets and restaurants in the UK were promoting the... ...Read more »