The Love Local, Trust Local scheme is far more than a local producer’s award. As it enters its third season, founder Barbara Cossins explains.
Love Local Trust Local (LLTL) is a Dorset-based not-for-profit organisation, focused on developing an accreditation mark which truly supports local farmers, fishermen, growers and small independent producers.
The LLTL initiative arose due to concerns over the integrity of food labelling in the UK – allowing the consumer to understand how their food has been farmed, processed and packed – and is driven by the belief that all farmers and producers should be working to the same ethical and welfare standards. The Cossins family are fifth generation farmers, and when they open their gates for Open Farm Sunday they take the opportunity to talk to as many people as possible about the food they eat. Visitors love knowing the story of their food, the miles it has travelled and that they are buying & eating genuine local produce. But the most – repeated question is always “how do we know that the food we buy every week really is what it says it is?”.
“We should all be concerned about lower quality food imports, and low standards of animal welfare.” says LLTL founder Barbara Cossins “We should all be supporting – and promoting – locally and ethically produced food. Current food labelling, even the Red Tractor symbol, aren’t stringent nor transparent enough. It is time for a fresh initiative which endorses high ethical standards, full provenance and complete traceability.”
The ‘Love Local Trust Local’ scheme aims to educate consumers on how to trust food labelling – where to look, what it really means and why shopping local matters. Alongside this, LLTL helps farmers and growers promote their produce across their locality. It is all about Quality, Honesty and Proximity.
LLTL is growing quickly and has already run two highly successful Love Local Trust Local annual food awards (see the website for the latest information on the upcoming 2022 awards www.lovelocaltrustlocalawards.co.uk). Many local companies are now supporting these important
local awards, keen to be associated with the scheme.
The LLTL team would love the opportunity to talk to you, and explore ways in which your business can benefit from being associated with this critical initiative and the positive profile it is generating. There are a number of ways in which anyone can get involved – do just give us a call on 07831 184920 or email Barbara at awards@lovelocaltrustlocalawards.co.uk
There are 14 LLTL 2022 award categories:
• Dairy
• Cheese
• Honey
• Jams
• Chutneys & Condiments
• Meat
• Fish
• Bakery (Sweet)
• Bakery (Savoury)
• Farm Shops
• Drinks
• Innovation & Diversification
• Conservation & Environmental Impact
• Business Development Award
Sponsored by: Blanchards Bailey – Law for Life
Blanchards Bailey are a Dorset based law firm specialising in commercial and private law. Recognised by the Legal 500 as one of the top firms in the south west.
