A PANEL of experts will debate whether local people can realistically afford to buy locally-produced food, at a special event in Tavistock next week.
Speakers will include Guy Watson, of Riverford Organic Vegetables, one of the largest organic vegetable home delivery box schemes in the UK, Rebecca Matthews-Joyce, of Devon Food Links, and Margaret King and Veen Junkins, who are speaking from the perspective of people who find it harder to buy local food.
The debate is being organised by charity WestDen which promotes local, healthy and organic food through its Good Food project.
Over the past year the project has delivered workshops on healthy eating and the benefits of local food to schools, playgroups and a wide range of other groups. Many people have raised the concern that local food is too expensive for those living on a tight budget.
Good Food project manager Kate Wright said: ?People are increasingly aware of the benefits of local food ? it is good for the local economy, good for the environment, and can often be healthier ? but many people say they simply cannot afford it. The perception is that local food is too expensive.
?The debate will get to the heart of this fundamental issue and look at the real and comparative costs of local and imported food.
?It may also help us find new ways of getting access for more people to the food produced right here on our doorstep.?
Rebecca Matthews-Joyce, of Devon Food Links, will talk about her experience of living on just local food for one month.
Local chef and food producer Malcolm Morrison will also be showing the audience dishes he has created from good value local ingredients.
The debate will follow the WestDen annual meeting, which starts at 6 pm on Wednesday November 24 at the Alexander Centre in Tavistock.
Refreshments from local food producers will be served at 7pm, followed by the debate at 7.30pm. Members of the audience are invited to bring a question to put to the panellists.