A NEW initiative aimed at encouraging people to buy fresh local produce instead of shopping at the supermarket has been launched by Devon Wildlife Trust?s Ruby Country Initiative.

The initiative this month released the ?Ruby Country Food and Drink Folder?, a list of local producers to help individuals and businesses source fresh food on their doorstep.

From plough to plate the folder gives details of seasonal specialities, farmers? markets and farm shops as well as pubs and restaurants who actively try to use products from Ruby Country ? the Holsworthy and Hatherleigh areas of Devon.

Entries in the folder are split into categories, including meat, poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetables, bread and pastries and drinks, and can be bought for £1.50 from the Cookworthy Forest Centre or downloaded at http://www.therubycountry.com">www.therubycountry.com ? they are also stocked at various local shops and information centres in the area.

Coordinator Rosie Austin said: ?Visiting and talking to the producers gives you a greater knowledge of the produce, how it was grown, reared and the ingredients which go into the food.

?It has been great fun compiling this folder and the producers have always given helpful hints about serving suggestions and cooking times ? we hope this will be a great addition to people?s kitchen bookshelves and will go some way towards raising awareness and use of the gorgeous variety of produce we have available to us.?

The folder also highlights the environmental benefits and importance to the local community of buying local produce and contains a map of the area so that visitors and those less familiar with Ruby Country can try out the waymarked walks around local towns and villages.

Rosie said: ?The great news is that the folder has already been put to good use ? the new owners of the Torridge Inn, Richard and Anne Doyle, have sourced most of their ingredients from within ten miles of the pub ? this is what it?s all about!?

For more information on the Ruby Country Initiative, or the folder itself, contact Rosie Austin on 01409 220036.