A family-run business near York is hoping a visit by an influential Government figure will highlight the role of local producers in the community.

York butcher Matthew Kneafsey with Sir Don Curry

Sir Don Curry, Chairman of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food (SSFF) Delivery Group, was at Sandburn Hall near York to attend a Framework For Change (F4C) Executive meeting. F4C is the organisation which delivers the SSFF in Yorkshire and the Humber.

During his visit he enjoyed lunch and met Catering Manager Hayley Rees, as well as Head Chef John Coates and butcher Matthew Kneafsey, of M&K Butchers, York, who supplies the restaurant's meat.

Hayley said: "We devised a local menu for the lunch based on the food we offer at Tykes Restaurant, which is part of Sandburn. Matthew rears all the lamb we use on his family farm in York, and sources all the beef and pork locally too.

"It's becoming a real priority these days for people to know where their food comes from, and in our case it's all from a fairly close radius - not just meat, but fish, eggs, ice-cream, fresh produce.

"The quality is fantastic and the taste is out of this world - we couldn't get better from anywhere else. John cooks things fairly simply because the last thing you want to do is ruin the superb flavour with an over-fancy recipe."

She added: "We were delighted to have Sir Don here and show him how seriously we take the message of using local producers for our food. We hope his visit will emphasise just how important this is, and of what wonderful food can be found right on our doorstep."

Tony Cooke, Chairman of Framework for Change said the day had been a great opportunity to show Sir Don the role local producers played in the Yorkshire economy.

"It gave us a chance to showcase a thriving family business and demonstrate how important local farmers are to its success. We are working hard to make people aware of how important it is to support local agriculture and I think Sir Don was very aware of that," she explained.

Sir Don's visit was part of a fact-finding visit. The day included meeting agriculture students at Askham Bryan College, York and talking to them about the future of British farming.

Note:

In December 2002 Defra published the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming & Food. The strategy was produced in response to the Policy Commission's report on the future of farming and food, published in January 2002. The strategy charged the regions with developing the national framework into regional delivery plans that deliver real change at a local level. Framework for Change is the regional delivery partnership in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is made up of individuals from the public, private and voluntary sectors and delivers key initiatives identified by its regional members, including the NFU and CLA.

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