Buy local is promoted all around us and in the food and drink sector the buy local mantra has never been stronger. The benefits of purchasing within a given radius are clear – higher quality food, more nutritious food, seasonal food, supporting the local economy and saving food miles.
Much of the focus has been on the consumer buying more locally. The South West is home to many amazing and unique food and drink producers who truly deserve to be seen more in local hotels, restaurants, cafes, delis and food halls. However, for retail and hospitality outlets the task of sourcing more from the local region can often be seen as time consuming and daunting. Many existing sources of information in terms of buying local, such as the Open Food Network or Big Barn, tend to be consumer focused. One recent launch in our region, however, hoping to assist hospitality and retail channels source locally is Shop Cotswolds.
Set up in May 2023 by two businesswomen from Cheltenham with a passion for supporting local producers, Shop Cotswolds is an online searchable directory of food and drink suppliers in the wider Cotswolds region. With exclusive access to a 600 plus database of regional food and drink producers, Shop Cotswolds aims to take the time and effort out of making the connections to the appropriate suppliers, fostering a collaborative approach to sourcing locally.
With 70 registered producers on board already, the platform encompasses a range of suppliers, large and small, producing in locations in Cotswolds counties including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol and Somerset.
The stories behind the Shop Cotswolds producers are often as compelling as the products themselves. What shines through is an ethos of sustainability, championing local produce and a collaborative approach. Consider, for instance, Shipton Mill collaborating with small cultivators to revitalise local grain economies. Or Beckford’s Rum in Bath, which produces award-winning rums using traditional techniques. Additionally, the Incredible Brewing Co, located in the heart of Bristol, is a small, independent craft brewery committed to enhancing the reputation of all local sustainable produce. We also have Bibury Trout Farm in Cirencester, one of England’s oldest operational trout farms. Besides offering an enjoyable day out, they serve their trout with a selection of delicious dishes sourced locally. Lastly, there’s Little Oak Vineyard, situated in the northern part of the Cotswolds. This family-run winery specialises in cultivating grape varieties that are typically more challenging to grow, with the aim of producing an award-winning sparkling wine.
As a major tourist destination, the South West region features an abundance of boutique hotels, fine restaurants and quirky cafes. Encouraging and facilitating these hospitality outlets to access more locally produced food and drink can only help the region’s economy as a whole in addition to building a more sustainable, collaborative food system.
For further information visit www.shopcotswolds.uk and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
