'Fresh is best' for Fenland farmer after meat and dairy pledge
Councillors have passed plans to offer meat and dairy options
A Fenland farmer has said more people will benefit by being given a wider range of meat and dairy options to choose from.
Fenland District Council must commit to supporting local farmers and growers by supplying locally-sourced products and plant-based options at council-organised events after it passed a motion this week.
It also must consider "ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally, taking advantage of homegrown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy and plant-based options".
Tim Taylor's a district councillor who put forward the motion:
"One of the main calls I do want is Fenland feeding Fenland," he said.
"If we can get farmers within Fenland to feed schools, nursing homes, children's homes, council offices then great; we've got it here.
"It's going to take time; some people think buying from a farm shop is slightly more expensive than a supermarket and it might be, but fresh is best and it will last longer."
Fenland councillors must now provide meat and dairy options at council-run events if plant-based products are also provided.
In October, Suffolk County Council passed a motion calling for meat and dairy items to be provided at all council-run events.
The National Farmers' Union has previously backed calls for local authorities to support local farmers and businesses supplying food which it said would "help councils work towards a more sustainable future".
"This year's definitely one of the most trying"
As well as food for future months, experts have raised concerns of a vegetable shortage this Christmas due to storms causing issues for farmers during harvest.
Crops of potatoes, broccoli, parsnips, and cauliflower are thought to have been badly affected by heavy rainfall.
But Tim is confident there won't be any major issues.
"I think this year's definitely one of the most trying we've seen for several years," he said.
"Mother Nature's thrown a bad one to us, but I don't think it will prevail to a major shortage of anything.
"If you shop local, 9 times out of 10 the farmer will be happy to supply you a bag of potatoes, carrots, parsnips."