Fresh Local Food on the Menu during Organic Farm Visit

Tim Andrewes, the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for the St Ives constituency, has visited a local farm as part of his campaign to highlight local food issues.

Mr Andrewes visited Trevelyan Farm near Rosudgeon and spoke with local farmer Tim Jones about the role of farming in a strong local economy and the importance of farm shops. Vegetables are grown on the farm using organic techniques, and there is also a farm shop selling homegrown produce, as well as fruit and vegetables from other farms in West Cornwall.

Tim Andrewes said: ‘Farms like Trevelyan play an important role in meeting local people’s needs for fresh produce, reducing food miles, keeping food affordable and generating local employment.’

Tim Jones explained the ethos of his farm: ‘We have worked hard for the last ten years to promote organic food to local shoppers. Organic food is often unfairly characterised as an expensive luxury, whereas in reality, if you buy locally, there’s not much difference in price but a huge benefit to the environment.’

Other issues discussed included the impact of climate change on pest management and water supplies, the need to reduce use of nitrate fertilisers, and the changing nature of demand for organic food brought about by the recession.

Tim Andrewes has a keen interest in local food issues. He was a founder of the St Ives Farmers’ Market and, as a town councillor, he has been spearheading the move to provide allotments in St Ives.