by Barbara Cossins.

From food shortages on our supermarket shelves to reading the Farmers Weekly report on the NFU conference, there’s a lot going on. The headline being the usual hot-air, sketchy promises from our government.

It’s also been tough at the pub, not only dealing with the increasing prices of food and drinks but also having to cope with the living wage going up in April by nearly £1 an hour. People need the money to live, which I totally understand, but we cannot keep passing that burden onto customers – they just won’t wear it on eating out, it’s making it impossible all round.
The news reports say another 2,000 pubs are at risk of closure, which in turn threatens 25,000 jobs.
On a happier note, Friday night at the Langton Arms is Locals’ Night. It’s always great and heart-warming to see them supporting us and enjoying themselves, and sorting out their issues and the world’s problems at the bar.
It made me laugh and put a smile on my face when a great friend told me a story about his neighbour’s school farm trip. When the children got off the bus they saw some cows and a girl asked: “Which cows produced the green and which ones produced the red top milk?” Honestly?

It highlights the importance of farmers connecting with the public. We all need to be educated about food and its origin, to understand it does not come from the supermarkets. That it comes from the earth and the animals, and is grown with love and care by our farmers.
We need to help more people understand where our food comes from and the importance of eating and drinking local and regional produce. That is why Open Farm Sundays are so important. On that subject, a date for your diary – Open Farm Sunday is on Sunday, June 11, nationwide.
This year at Rawston Farm we will be opening our farm doors for a free day out. This is the first time since 2018, which was when we realised the need to create a food label that recognised what was grown and produced in our local area. A voice for our farmers that the public could trust and learn what was grown in their county.
A mini market featuring our Love Local Trust Local Awards entrants will also be on offer. Local farmers will be there to talk to you about what is happening in the food and farming community. What’s available and growing, alongside the many challenges they are facing. So much to learn and experience about our local food and farming – please join us!

We are very proud that Love Local Trust Local is a Dorset label. We hope we will continue to grow with other counties and their flags join our Dorset campaign. Do you know what your county flag looks like? Learn which is your county flag so you can see what is grown and produced in your own county and elsewhere in England. It’s amazing. Keep eating local everyone.

Barbara Cossins is founder of Love Local Trust Local; www.thelangtonarms.co.uk; www.rawstonfarmbutchery.co.uk; www.lovelocaltrustlocalawards.co.uk