A successful workshop to discuss how local and organic food can be delivered more effectively to consumers in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area was held on July 26th at The Barn’s Centre, in Thame.

Producers, consumers and local businesses came together to hear from four speakers already involved in local food distribution: Dominic Shadbolt, who has recently launched the Only Organic box-scheme based in Long Crendon, Iain Tolhurst, who runs Tolhurst Organic Produce box-scheme from his farm near Pangbourne, Geoff Cage, owner of Local Tastes shop in Thame, and Susie O’Kelly, who runs the Right 2 Know box-scheme, from her home near Thornborough.

Delegates had the chance to question speakers and network informally, before splitting into two workshop groups, one representing ‘the Buyer’ and the other representing ‘the Supplier’. The task – to draw a diagram of distribution that would meet their needs. At the end of the session, each group presented its findings, demonstrating how produce might be most effectively delivered, while satisfying the criteria of both buyer and supplier. Feedback from the event so far has been extremely positive, with many new contacts made and ideas exchanged.

The event was organised jointly by Nancy Pound, who co-ordinates the Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Food Group (based in the Economic Development Team), and Tamara Schiopu, BBO Food Groups' Manager, based at Oxford Brookes University. Knowledge and ideas exchanged at the workshop will be made available on the food groups’ website, and will be used to inform current and future initiatives to improve local food distribution.