The Local Food Link Van Group does not operate in
isolation but in the larger context of other related
groups. To understand the specific aims of running the
group in Skye and Lochalsh we must first look at the
local situation regarding the food sector. The area of
Skye & Lochalsh in NW Scotland has a huge potential
for fresh local produce. It's not only an image of
cleanliness, freshness and high quality that is
associated with that part of Scotland - the locally
produced fish, shellfish, lamb, beer, cheese,
vegetables, herbs and fruit fully bear it out.
The problem is it can be very difficult actually
to buy some of the excellent produce there. Two local
supermarkets get their supplies, not necessarily fresh
produce, from central depots on the mainland, a local
wholesaler gets it from a market in Glasgow (210
miles), consumers in turn depend on that wholesaler or
other delivery services operated from Inverness (130
miles) and Fort William (120 miles). The obvious
solution for this highly unsatisfactory situation - a
local distribution system - could never get off the
ground - so everybody thought - because of economics of
scale: the large area of 2,700 sq km with a population
of only 12,000 results in a very low population density
of 4.4 (UK average 242.2) which seems to rule out a
viable local distribution service.
Skye and Lochalsh's potential for local produce is
largely untapped - what is produced is still peanuts
compared to what is imported into this area. This is being
addressed by a number of local groups which aim to
encourage local food production, marketing and health
education. All this is highly dependent on a reliable
transport system - after all, nobody will increase food
production unless he or she is confident that the goods can
be delivered to the customer. Setting up a farmer's market
or a box scheme only works if a delivery system is already
in place. Education with regard to healthy eating
only has an effect if some healthy produce is actually
available.
A group of producers across the food spectrum operate
the van but the scheme is open to anybody and it has been a
tremendous success. Local produce worth more than £20,000
was shifted in the first one and a half years of its
existence. The group is particularly proud of the
national award it won from the Soil Association as "Best
New Food Initiative" in 2001.
From March to June 2003 goods to the value
of £14,873 were delivered compared with £6,268 for the same
period in 2002 - a 137% increase.
Chefs were usually reluctant to cut down on
established chains of supplies from outside this area
because they were sceptical of whether a new initiative
would last and whether it would provide a reliable
service - this is no longer the case. The scheme has
changed people's perceptions of the potential of the
local community and has increased confidence in their
own strength. There is often a general feeling that
changes are introduced from elsewhere and that changing
conditions means waiting for changes to be made by
somebody else. In this case, however, it's local people
who did something and it's "their" scheme that has
begun to change "their" local community for the
better.
With the grant towards establishing a sustainable
transportation system the Group has made significant
progress towards self-sufficiency. The Group is
well placed to make a real difference to the local
community.
It has now obtained funding for a larger van
to allow continued growth and ensure that more local
produce is consumed on the island.
The increase in demand also enables some
producers to expand to supply a market now within their
geographical reach.
The Group sees a need for a long-term strategy
and the Food Link van won't be self-supporting for
quite a while.
Contact
Kornelius Hagmann
Skye & Lochalsh Food Link Van Group
19 Upper Fasach
Glendale
Isle of Skye
IV55 8WP
Telephone: 01470 511349
E-mail:
glendalesalads@eggconnect.net