“Everyone is learning to adapt”

Ludlow Food Festival celebrated its silver jubilee last September and no one could have anticipated the current turmoil. We’ve already cancelled our smaller Spring Festival and obviously keeping everything crossed that September’s event (11-13 September) will go ahead. As a not for profit organisation, our primary role has always been to support and champion local producers and obviously many of them are really struggling as their usual sales channels – markets, delis and food events are not in operation. However, we’ve maintained regular contact with our exhibitors and also the amazing suppliers that have also been affected. It lifts the spirits to see the rallying that has come from the local community and between our food and drink producers. People are really pulling together.

Many of Ludlow’s independent shops (including butchers, bakers, a cheesemonger and a deli) remain open, even if working reduced hours. Businesses are arranging joint deliveries to help spread the load.
 
Social media has been hugely significant in keeping people connected and informing the public of special offers, menus, opening hours, even new product launches that are available online. Everyone is learning to adapt and there’s such a willingness to embrace the changes that are having to be introduced – however unfamiliar or challenging. My hope is that the long-term outcome will be that more people learn to truly cherish the artisan makers, farmers and producers that exists on their doorstep. I hope they’ll learn to rely less on the supermarkets and keep buying quality bread, meat, cheeses and produce that is locally grown, reared and made. And most of all, I look forward to seeing all 180 of our festival stall-holders for a gigantic celebration of food from the Welsh Marches come September.