When it comes to shopping people no longer want to travel further their food. In other words, they want to buy and eat local.
Around 64 per cent of the UK population preferred to shop locally last year, according to the Virgin Media O2 Business’ Annual Movers Index, and they were willing to spend 19 per cent more to support smaller independent stores in their neighbourhood. While the appetite for buying local has never been greater, with the UK currently importing 60 per cent of what we eat and drink, it’s often difficult to find local produce on shop shelves and restaurant menus. However, a Sussex initiative is working to change that.
The Sussex Six campaign encourages businesses to stock at least six more local products in the coming year to support the local economy and the environment. Businesses participating in the scheme include farm shops and independent high street stores, delis, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Since the Sussex Six campaign launched at Kinsbrook Vineyard in June 2023, more than 80 businesses have signed up to the self-regulated initiative, pledging to increase local produce on their shelves and menus.
Organised by Natural Partnerships CIC and the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the campaign was initially launched in the Horsham area, with support from the district council. ‘We’ve got lots of producers who concentrate on really high-quality produce, and on the sustainability of what they produce, so if you buy local food and drink, you’re keeping the money in the local economy and helping reduce your food miles,’ says Ruth Fletcher, Horsham District Council cabinet member for planning and infrastructure.
A year later and the campaign has also been backed by Chichester District Council and it is hoped – funding dependent – it will roll out across other boroughs in both East and West Sussex. Harsha Desai, cabinet member for growth and place at Chichester District Council, says that highlighting businesses that use local produce and stock local products can really help to increase customer numbers and loyalty for independents.
‘We know that if given the option and information, people at a restaurant are more likely to choose a dish from the menu that is made from local ingredients,’ she explains. ‘This campaign is all about highlighting the great work that our food businesses are already doing to support local suppliers and help create supply chains in the area.’
Hilary Knight, Natural Partnerships CIC and co-founder of Sussex Food and Drink, which is behind the concept, adds: ‘I think the reason the Sussex Six pledge works is because it’s simple and achievable, even for the smallest businesses and for the consumer, it gives more opportunity to buy local and safeguard the county’s future food security.’
Details of supporting businesses can be found on the Sussex Six pages of sussexfoodanddrink.org - the online directory for Sussex produce. Here we speak to six members about why they joined…
Ashling Park, West Ashling
Ashling Park, a 50-acre estate in the charming hamlet of West Ashling, just outside Chichester, produces award-winning wines from grapes grown on its neatly lined vineyard, framed by 100-year-old oak trees. The estate also has a gin school and farm-to-table restaurant, serving dishes made from local produce including meat from Ashdean Farm, less than a mile from the estate.
‘We are proud to be both a producer of award-winning Sussex wines and a supporter of local Sussex producers in the countryside around us,’ says managing director Gail Gardner. ‘We already serve delicious local food and drinks in our restaurant overlooking our vineyard and are commitment to take on even more local produce on our menu.’
![The Countryman Inn cares about food providence and the environment.]()
The Countryman Inn cares about food providence and the environment. (Image: Malcolm Green) The Countryman Inn, Shipley
Surrounded by open landscape, close to the Knepp Estate re-wilding and conservation project, The Countryman Inn prides itself on offering customers a true taste of the countryside. The pub only serves local, seasonal ingredients on its menu including fresh fish landed at Newhaven, Brighton and Shoreham from family-owned day boats working along the south coast. It’s also home to the village store, which stocks home baked bread and pastries, locally grown vegetables, preserves, coffee and local craft and traditional ales.
‘Our food is evolving all the time, and we are always looking to feature the very best of what’s in season,’ says owner Alan Vaughan. ‘We are delighted to be a part of the Sussex Six campaign, which not only promotes great Sussex produce but brings together those of us committed to supporting the local community and environment together.’
The Hungry Guest, Petworth
Passionate about putting the market back into market town, The Hungry Guest has three outlets in Petworth a butchers, café and food shop, which has won UK Delicatessen of the Year twice. Obsessed with returning to seasonal, locally available, fresh and artisanal food, the brand works with a carefully selected collection of growers and producers who align with their ethics and values.
‘We make a commitment to seasonal, local and fresh produce year-round to bring you the very best in local and artisanal foods from the farmers, fishers, bakers, cheesemakers and more than 45 winemakers that call this region home,’ says general manager Lucy Lempriere. ‘This passion is evident in every aspect of our Hungry Guest artisan food shop.’
thehungryguest.com
Knepp Wilding Kitchen and Shop, Dial Post
Right at the heart of Knepp’s rewilding project, in a restored Sussex barn, a team of chefs led by Ned Burrell and Bradley Adams, cook up traditional favourites and exciting new dishes over an open fire. The kitchen uses meat from the estate to make charcuterie, bratwurst and sharing steak dishes, and fresh produce from the organic market garden, just a stone’s throw from the kitchen.
‘We serve and sell high-quality local and organic produce and so Sussex Six is a natural fit for us,’ says estate co-owner Ned Burrell. ‘We have pledged to take on more Sussex produce and are delighted to join a campaign that is good for the local economy and for the environment as well.’
Stansted Park Farm Shop, near Stoughton
Stansted Park Farm Shop, situated on the West Sussex / Hampshire border, was originally opened in 2012 within the old estate stables before it was moved to a bespoke barn built using Douglas fir timber that was planted on the estate in 1946 by the Women’s Land Army. The building is now the gateway to the Stansted Park Estate and showcases the amazing variety of produce found across the South Downs. With a full butchery counter of local game and meat, a deli brimming with homemade pastries, charcuterie and award-winning cheeses, there is produce from over 100 Sussex and Hampshire artisans on sale.
‘We created Stansted Park Farm Shop to showcase local food and drink and we work hard to support the local environment and community,’ says owner Fred Duncannon.
‘We also hosted the South Downs Food Festival on September 14, which was opened by Prue Leith and celebrated local fare.’
South Lodge, Lower Beeding
This five-star hotel on the outskirts of Horsham not only has three restaurants including the Michelin starred Ben Wilkinson at The Pass, Camelia headed up by Josh Mann and Botanica, a dairy free, sustainability and health-focused Mediterranean inspired restaurant where head chef Jonathan Spiers draws on the South Downs, but also planted a vineyard in 2022. The hotel’s food and beverage ethos focuses on local produce because it is ‘fresher, tastier and better for the environment’, says general manager Dan Wait.
‘We joined the Sussex Six because it represents all that we believe in,’ he adds. ‘As a BCorp business, supporting a circular economy in our local community and showcasing the very best of local produce is important to us and we are delighted to take on the challenge of bringing even more local produce into our restaurants.’
