Alan Titchmarsh backs farming campaign

Television celebrity Alan Titchmarsh is backing a campaign to get regional food producers and farmers recognised at the 2012 Olympics.

Sarah Gayton - who owns Taste the Moorlands bakery in Derbyshire – has spearheaded the campaign, which aims to get the work of local food producers and farmers highlighted at the games. She wants those that supply the Olympics with produce to be featured on short videos that will be shown throughout the 2012 games on giant screens.

‘It would be fantastic publicity for farmers and smaller scale food producers who will be supplying those at the games with first-class produce,’ she explained.

‘It would demonstrate to those at the games that the UK has an excellent farming industry that provides good quality, affordable produce.’

To convince Olympic organisers to show videos of suppliers during the games, Sarah has started a video petition, in which those who want to support the UK’s food industry can call for the initiative to go ahead. One clip shows celebrity Alan Titchmarsh in which he supports Britain’s Olympic athletes, and the nation’s farmers. In it, he states that he hopes that when the two come together, ‘they make something bigger than the both of them’.

Sarah added that she was delighted the television host had taken part in the petition, which she added was attracting a lot of support.

‘It is really gathering pace now, and people from every corner of the UK are sending short videos calling for producers to be showcased at the Olympics,’ she explained.
‘Doing so would not only benefit suppliers, but rural communities that rely on them for employment and economic support.’

Anyone wanting to post a video should visit www.tasteofthemoorlands.co.uk, click onto 'Join the Olympic Campaign'. Alternatively, send an email pledging support to Countryside, at martin.stanhope@nfu.org.uk