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 | Prince Charles Visit HRH The Prince of Wales visited Plumgarths Lakelands Food Park today (Wednesday 12 March), during a day-long visit to Cumbria. After touring Plumgarths, The Prince of Wales took part in a meeting organised by Business in the Community to discuss local sourcing in Cumbria.
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| The meeting took place at Plumgarths where The Prince of Wales met owner John Geldard and business partners, Steve Chambers and Paul Airey.
The Prince of Wales has followed the Geldard family farm's local food sourcing and diversification activities with interest since meeting with John and his wife, Rachel, at St James's Palace 16 months ago at the launch of Business in the Community's Guide to Local Sourcing.
The Geldards converted traditional stone barns into Plumgarths Farm Shop which provided the opportunity to sell their own beef, lamb and free range eggs directly to consumers. Further developments then offered opportunities for local food producers to rent high quality units accompanied with marketing and technical support. They include Plumgarths Butchery and Bakery, the Lakeland Sandwich and Baguette Company, Strawberry Bank Liqueurs and the development also accommodates Lakeland Radio station. Plumgarths Lakelands Food Park provides new employment for more than 30 people and is a hub for farmers and cottage industries
Six months ago, the Geldards, together with Steve Chambers and Paul Airey, launched the Plumgarths/ASDA local sourcing initiative. The initiative involves 19 suppliers providing more than 80 quality products from around Cumbria direct to the ASDA's Kendal store.
Another diversification interest was born last year when Plumgarths business pooled its skills to Develop Plumgarths Food Service which offers meat that is naturally reared by Lakeland farmers to hotels and restaurants located in the Lake District.
We are very pleased to welcome the Prince of Wales to Plumgarths, said John Geldard. We are delighted he has demonstrated such interest in Plumgarths and other similar initiatives that are striving to support the farming industry and rural economy. We feel there is a real sense of appreciation in the fact he has a clear understanding of the importance of this country's food producing capacity and the dangers of losing it. I believe that this support was clearly demonstrated by the fact he was recently voted farming personality of the year. He added: One of the most satisfying elements of the venture is the fact it has achieved a work force in excess of 30 people in year two. The target by close of year three was 24 people.
Plumgarths was opened with the help of an England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES). A total of ?152 million has been allocated to RES from April 2001 to 2006 to help farmers like the Geldards adapt to changing markets by diversifying and developing new business opportunities.
Business in the Community, of which The Prince of Wales is President, held the meeting at Plumgarths to understand and explore the challenges that both producers and their market place face. National Rural Action Director at Business in the Community, Graham Russell commented: In July 2002 The Prince of Wales launched our Local Sourcing Guide, produced in association with the Institute of Grocery Distribution, and these talks today intend to seek a strategy for local sourcing in the North West. Learning and working with Plumgarths allows Business in the Community to share the experience with other farmers and businesses in the UK. The national campaign of Local Sourcing extends not only from supermarkets buying in local products but to businesses, universities and organisations all doing their bit to consider local sourcing.
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Media Enquiries
Liz Snaith, Plumgarths Communications Manager
01743 344986, 07974 678833
liz.snaith@btopenworld.com
Notes to editors
Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member companies. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society.
The new Business in the Community Cumbria Office opened in October 2002. For further details on the office based in Penrith please contact David Till on 01768 868930. Address: Business in the Community, NWDA Building, Penrith 40 Business Park, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9BP.
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