23 September 2008, 14:40 PM
  • A new trade event, which aims to provide direct links between London’s wholesalers, buyers and distributors and the area's top growers and producers, will take place on 1st October.

The event, Local to London, wants to demonstrate how easily local seasonal produce can be sustained on the capital’s menus. It will take place at the New Covent Garden Market and plans to attract up to 600 buyers from in and around London with one of the largest local trade fairs in the capital.

“Local to London heralds the start of the London’s Markets Month,” says Jan Lloyd, Covent Garden Market Authority chief executive. “It builds on the success of our February event, where New Covent Garden Market once again provided the perfect venue to tap the local seasonal produce message into the consciousness of the London supply chain. We look forward to seeing new links made and existing ones strengthened between the market and the regions’ producers. Londoners will be the winners.”

The event is part of a three-year project to get more local produce into the capital, and is timed to link in with British Food Fortnight and the Wholesaler Month involving all six wholesale markets in London through October. Local to London has been initiated and supported by a partnership that includes Tastes of Anglia, the South East Food Group Partnership, New Covent Garden Market and the London Development Agency.

For more information visit southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk/localtolondontradeevent.