The National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association suggests that the radius for ‘local food’ is up to thirty miles but this is not prescriptive.

Sourcing locally helps you know that the food and drink you are buying is fully traceable back to the producer and that you are supporting your local economy.

Don't be afraid to ask shop assistants and waiters for more information about where they buy their food and drink, especially if they have just used the words ‘local food’ on their point of sale material and menus. We encourage retailers and caterers to be as specific as possible and suggest that they name the producers and farms or at least use generic phrases such as ‘All the meat served comes from farms within 30 miles of this shop/restaurant’.

‘Artisanal’ and ‘artisan produce’ are terms used to describe products for which special knowledge and skills are required to make them properly. Production is generally small-scale and the recipes and techniques used tend to be based on traditional foods and skills. Local farmers' markets are a good starting point for finding artisan producers in your area.

For general enquiries about assurance schemes and quality marks contact Bill Drennan at the Food Standards Agency on 020 7276 8138 or Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Increasingly, many of the regions in the UK are producing their own distinctive logos for instance the New Forest area. This is the New Forest Marque logo - a recognised trademark of true local food within the New Forest Boundary. They audit all their members to ensure that they comply with the criteria.