The Surgery - Help the environment by buying locally grown food

Dear Surgery: I'd like to source more local, regional food for our menu, but don't know where to start. Any tips?

The Surgery says:

More and more food-driven pubs are opting for the regional, local produce route and who can blame them? Local food cuts

down on air miles, tastes better and gives something back to the local economy. A lot of pub chefs start sourcing local produce by checking out their local farmers markets. These events take place in a growing number of towns and cities across the UK and are a great opportunity to meet meat and poultry producers, vegetable growers, cheese makers and cider and beer makers. Buy some of their produce, put it on the menu as a special, and see how the customers react to the difference in flavour and quality.

As most chefs don't have the time to visit markets during the week, the easiest way for them to source local produce is by checking out organisations such as Food From Britain (FFB), which has an excellent website providing a one-stop shop for buyers looking to source products from specific regions. This is increasingly important in an industry where

consumers are becoming more savvy about what they eat and where it has has come from. In the site's Buyers' Zone, visitors have the option of subscribing to regular newsletter updates in which FFB offers up-to-the minute

information on available products as well as advice and support on sourcing regional food and drink. The site has been a hit with both producers and buyers since it launched in October 2003 and last year saw a 33% increase in users. It now offers a directory featuring 3,144 companies. Easy

to use, the site can be navigated swiftly by clicking on the map of Britain to indicate the region of interest.

Alternatively you can search by product category or look for specific producers. The site also has a shopping "market" where you can buy direct, browse through the selection of gourmet fare on offer and even find out more about the company and its production techniques. You will also find a page listing seasonal and special offers from the producers, which change on a regular basis.

For more information, call 020 7233 5111 or go to www.regionalfoodanddrink.co.uk