Adventures in local food: How to eat and shop local this summer

This summer, Sustain member Better Food Traders is inviting people across the UK to have their own ‘Adventures in Local Food’, seeking out independent, sustainable, nature-friendly food traders on their holiday route or at their destination, and sharing what they find.

Their interactive map shows independent shops, bakeries, farm stalls, market traders, veg box schemes, food hubs and other local producers across the UK, all members of the Better Food Traders network.

The campaign encourages holidaymakers to find a trader, buy something delicious, and share a photo tagging @betterfoodtraders. Every better stop turns everyday holiday spending into support for local food economies, good jobs, and nature-friendly farming.

Why this matters

Summer is in full swing, and with it has come a run of hot, dry weather. It’s easy to enjoy the sunshine, but spare a thought for everyone across our network keeping good food moving in the heat.

Across the Better Food Traders network, farmers are dealing with water-stressed crops, rising irrigation costs and livestock welfare in the heat. Shopkeepers, delivery drivers and veg box scheme managers are battling overheating fridges and temperamental tech, just to get food to us and keep it fit to eat. This is tough stuff.

It’s a timely reminder of how exposed our food system is to a changing climate, and why supporting resilient, locally-rooted producers and traders matters more than ever.

The Better Food Traders network is committed to nature-friendly farming, good jobs, and bringing you closer to the people who grow and make your food.

Spending a little of your holiday money with a Better Food Trader goes a long way, keeping money circulating in local economies, creating thriving high streets, a healthier planet, and better conditions for the people producing your food.

Why find a Better Food Trader?

The Better Food Traders network is committed to nature-friendly farming, good jobs, and bringing you closer to the people who grow and make your food.

Spending a little of your holiday money with a Better Food Trader goes a long way, keeping money circulating in local economies, creating thriving high streets, a healthier planet, and better conditions for the people producing your food.

Found someone delicious not on the map? Better Food Traders wants to hear about them. They’ll share anyone tagging @betterfoodtraders into their photos. 

The campaign will run from July to September.