A forgotten source of ingredients, local markets.

Dear Editor, I started my small catering business 8 months ago. I have had a great time learning the good and the bad about running a catering business. One key thing that I have learnt is that local is critical to the success of any business. For me the local market has been the key to both my product and my business. I have sourced ingredients to develop the food that I sell and I use the market to sell not only my product but also my business. I have generated a significant amount of business through the market. Local producers provide wonderfully fresh and tasty produce and have a great pride in what they offer. They work extremely hard to provide a range of produce that is in season. They are trying to re-educate the consumer as to what is available and how to use it. The benefit is good quality ingredients that have less impact on the environment (less food miles) and many of the producers have the relevant accreditation for their product. The market is making a comeback and it is important that we take advantage of the market to source the best local produce possible. I feel that as an industry/business we forget the local producers and markets and the focus is on the corporates and the international business who source worldwide and drive down costs through bulk purchasing etc. It would be great to see the spotlight on the local markets and producers who work so hard to grow and produce the raw ingredients that inspire chefs to produce great food. I hope that you will consider this as a topic to cover soon. Best regards Paul Bellchambers TheLateChef

• Filed under: Oxfordshire, Oxford, ingredients, markets, producers

Good thread. I agree, local suppliers need supporting, however, I beleive that the nation needs to look at itself as local as no one area of the UK provides more quality then the nation combined. I always tell chefs to source quality locally first. Then, when quality is exhausted, they can go sa far a field as they need to within the UK.

For this reason you don't see deer trotting down Kensington High Street or find lobster pots in the Thames outside the Houses of Parliament.