‘Taste the Landscape’ on a food trail around Somerset

Dozens of food producers are opening their doors to celebrate the best of locally produced and sustainable food. Participants include goat herders, cider makers, dairy farmers, cheese makers, pubs, vineyards, bakers and vegetable growers.

The event is co-organised by the Wells Food Network who are a member of Sustain’s Sustainable Food Cities network. Wells Food Network chair Stewart Crocker believes the trail will have wider benefits for the local community:

“Food and farming have always been a vital part of the life of Somerset, shaping both our landscape and our economy for generations. Yet our food and farming system is under pressure as never before and diet-related health problems, such as type two diabetes and obesity, are on the rise. We believe that by putting healthy, sustainable food at the heart of all we do, we can strengthen our communities, conserve our countryside and boost our local economy.”

This food trail mainly focuses on Mendip and surrounding areas, ranging from Wells, Wookey and Wedmore to Shepton Mallet, Bruton and the Brue Valley. According to Stewart Crocker, “Taste the Landscape is, we believe, the first food trail event of its kind, in which producers open their doors to the public for a limited period. While there are other food trails elsewhere, they are mostly found in urban areas and often focus on shops or cafés and restaurants.”

Visit Somerset Food Trail for details of venues, opening times, special events and to download a map of the food trail.

The Sustainable Food Cities Network helps people and places share challenges, explore practical solutions and develop best practice on key food issues to work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live.