A new food network aimed at supporting local food in the Highlands and Islands - by helping producers grow more food for local consumption and helping people identify where they can buy local produce - has been launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) will bring consumers and growers together to provide Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This involves consumers making a commitment to buy produce from local farmers, which in turn provides the stability the farmers need in order to start-up or increase the amount of produce they supply.

Programme leader for HILFN Jo Hunt explained: "Lots of food consumers are looking to buy their food fresh from a grower in their local area. However, despite strong demand there are still relatively few places to buy fresh and local in the Highlands. Many farmers and crofters are thinking about changing what they grow and how they sell it, but are uncertain about taking the plunge of growing and selling locally.

"This is where the new network comes in. It can bring together consumers with growers in their area and where none exists, offer help to get producers started. Many consumers are willing to commit to buy their meat, vegetables and dairy produce from a local farm if they can supply it - and this commitment provides the boost the farmer needs to get started."

There are now a dozen farms and crofts supplying food through CSA in different parts of the Highlands and Islands and HILFN is keen to hear from other consumers or producers who may be interested in getting involved.

The HILFN is free to everyone, and provides help for producers, a recently launched website www.hilocalfood.net and a quarterly newsletter Local Bites.

For producers, the network provides advice on growing for and marketing to local people, both on the website and from HILFN technical advisers. 

In June a successful training day was held in Ullapool focusing on issues involving growing vegetables for local markets. On 14th September, there will be a similar day held in Dingwall looking at meat production, and further training days are planned for the autumn. Producers of all sizes are encouraged to have a webpage on the HILFN website describing their business and products.

For consumers, the network aims to help people find what is available locally. The website provides an easy way to discover where fresh local food can be found, either by searching on a map or by keywords. Where no local supplier exists, the network will enable people to register an interest and provide this information to potential producers. The website also describes a range of community groups and projects working on local food issues, from food in schools to healthy living initiatives.

"It's a simple idea," said Calina MacDonald, technical adviser for HILFN, who has been supporting local food on Skye for a number of years now. "In the short time we have been promoting the network, the response has been very enthusiastic. People want to find local food, but don't know where to look. Many producers want to break away from supermarkets, and have a guaranteed local market. This network helps both, and leads to healthier people and healthier communities."

To join the network, or for further information, visit the website www.hilocalfood.net, phone 01381 600525, or write to HILFN, Reay House, George St, Cromarty IV11 8YJ.