At a meeting today at the headquarters of the Mercian Trust in Lichfield the start of the Food Links Initiative was confirmed. The project will be implemented in association with ‘Development in Practice Ltd’ with the overall objective of linking local food producers and processors with local disadvantaged consumers such that producers enjoy a fair return for their produce and poorer urban communities gain access to wholesome locally produced food at affordable prices.

The initiative will start with a research phase which will run until 31/3/03 . This will look at consumers’ and producers’ needs and the local food supply networks in the West Midlands . Assuming that this research confirms the need for the initiative, stage two (1/4/03-30/6/03) will present research findings to key stakeholders, develop a business plan and funding bids for the implementation phase of the project.