Local Food on the Agenda

“Do you buy food from the local area?” That’s the principal question behind a research project being carried out by three UCB lecturers.

The project is part of an international initiative between the University of Lyon, France, the University of Helsinki in Finland, University of Laval in Canada and the University of Paris, France, investigating how consumers view ‘local food’ and the relationship between producers and consumers in France, Canada and other European countries.

Commissioned by the French Scientific organisation ANR, the lecturers have staged consumer focus groups to find out Birmingham consumers understanding of the term ‘local food’ and assess whether buying local produce is of importance.

“There is increased interest in local food. People are keen to see more choice in the supermarkets and like restaurants to promote locally sourced ingredients.” says Caroline Prior, lecturer, School of Hospitality, UCB. “ It is evident from the focus groups, however that the main issues tend to be access, availability and pricing of local produce so these are areas we are researching further”.

Along with Caroline Prior, colleagues involved are Faiza Khan, Marketing lecturer, Mandy Lloyd, Food lecturer, Ursula Penney, Graduate Teaching Assistant and Dr David Jenkins, Head of External Academic Research.

All of the universities taking part will report back their findings later this year, allowing lecturers to share information with marketing and food and consumer degree students.