Food Projects

AirS has worked over several decades to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. The organisation spans both community and business concerns and this is reflected in our current work with regard to the local food system.

We work with food producers, shopkeepers, farmers’ market organisers, caterers, schools and community groups to support stronger links, better understanding of food production, and
easier access to good quality food.

Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ markets offer an important means to access local
fresh produce. Since the first market was started by
Common Cause in Lewes in 1998, their number has grown
steadily and there are now thirty-five regular farmers’ and
village local produce markets held across Sussex.

AirS supports farmers' markets and other markets carrying local produce, as well as stallholders, through general advice, training, and information.

We have:

• Conducted research with customers, organisers and
  stallholders on the economic importance of farmers’ markets
• Run a conference on the future of farmers’ markets in Sussex
• Designed leaflets and fridge magnets to promote farmers’ markets
• Advised new markets and new stall holders
• Held regular meetings of the farmers’ market coordinating group
• Arranged a study trip to markets in Normandy
  shops, and the benefits of cooking with and eating local produce
• Developed ways of linking caterers of community groups such as luncheon clubs for older people to local producers
• Explored the feasibility of introducing children and young people to cooking skills using fresh food from local sources, through community activities

Farmers' Market Coordination Group

AirS facilitates quarterly meetings of the Farmers' Market Coordination Group, open to all farmers', local produce, and village market organisers in Sussex. The Group is a forum for sharing best practice, dicussing issues of concern, and organising joint promotions. Sources of expert advice on particular topics are regularly invited to our meetings.

Farmers' Market List
Study Trip to Normandy
Farmers' Market Research

Rural communities

We have:

• Worked with schools to make links between local growers, village shops, and the benefits of cooking with and eating local produce
• Developed ways of linking caterers of community groups such as luncheon clubs for older people to local producers
• Explored the feasibility of introducing children and young people to cooking skills using fresh food from local sources, through community activities

School meals and Care Centre catering

We have carried out a study for West Sussex County Council
on the feasibility of introducing more local produce into the
menus provided for schoolchildren, residents and visitors to
care centres, and in house council catering and hospitality.

Village shops

Village shops fulfil a vital role in rural communities. AirS offers
business advice, help with obtaining grants and increasingly,
assistance with retaining shops in rural communities through
the setting up of village ownership schemes.

We have also championed links between local producers
and village shops for many years.

The current Village Shops and Local Growers project enables
shopkeepers to work closely with AirS to identify local sources
of fruit and vegetables, and get help with installing displays,
publicity and promotions.

We:

• Give advice and support to all 200+ village shops in Sussex
• Help to establish village-owned, 'community' shops and give ongoing support to the 10 existing ones
• Work with village shops establishing new links between the shops and local growers
• Run training days for village shopkeepers on selling fresh produce
• Help finance displays and publicity materials
• Organise cookery demos at village events using local fresh produce brought through the village shop
  

School orchards

Many children have little knowledge of the processes involved in food growing and cooking. Children’s low consumption of fruit is an issue of particular concern currently. AirS is attempting to address these issues and to help children reconnect with one local source of food.

We have:

Planned with the children and teachers of five schools the
planting of mini-orchards including local varieties of apples
and plums

We will:

Organise fruit cookery sessions with chefs in each school
using locally grown fruit

Arrange visits for each school to local professional fruit
growers

The Sussex Food Finder

The SFF provides food businesses and interested individuals alike with all the information they need to source locally grown and produced food. It lists over 300 farmers, food producers, shops and restaurants. Producers listed range from large-scale horticulturalists producing million of lettuces a year to smallholders selling free-range eggs by the half dozen at the farm gate. The Sussex Food Finder also includes a listing of Farmers’ Markets and details of national and Sussex-based organisations, projects and initiatives involving local food.

Produced in collaboration with A Taste of Sussex,
the Sussex Food Finder is available from branches of
Sussex Stationers and Steamer Trading Cookshops,
priced £2.99.

For more information on any of these food pojects contact Anne-Marie Bur
01273 405445
anne-marie.bur@ruralsussex.org.uk