Food lovers the length of the UK are reconnecting with the very best local produce thanks to Aga's pioneering Local Life campaign.

The initiative – launched in early September – aims to demonstrate that food miles and food that's second-best can be a thing of the past if we all learn more about the wealth of produce that's available right on our doorstep.

And to turn the spotlight on local food heroes, Aga has identified key producers who take particular care to ensure their meat, fruit or vegetables, beer or wine are of the very highest standard. They have been invited to join consumers at Aga shops across the UK to talk about how they achieve produce that ranks alongside the very best in the world.

Already Local Life events have been held at Aga shops in Ringwood, Lincoln, Harrogate, Kidderminster, Bath, Carlisle, Tunbridge Wells, Ollerton, Derby, Chester, Adlington and Orpington. Here, customers were not only able to quiz their Local Life heroes, but also to taste the fruits of their labours to see just how good it is.

The need, it seems, for us all to reconnect with local food has never been greater. The National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) believes that farm shops, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own plots, box schemes and other means of selling direct by farmers are worth about £2bn to the UK economy. This, however, accounts for just 2% of the British grocery market. FARMA says 30% of us shop at farmers’ markets, but that 92% would do so if the opportunity were available to them locally.

And according to a report by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 86% of us believe Britain should be a farming nation, but only 18% of us buy local food.
 
We don’t need convincing, then, of the benefits of shopping locally and eating locally produced food – among them, improved nutrition, knowing the origin of the food you eat, reduced food miles, reduced packaging and helping the local economy.

That’s why Aga has decided to document the role played by farmers, smallholders and artisan producers, this time turning the spotlight on those who buck the trend for the mass-produced by providing us with real food created with real passion. A photographer and writer have been charged with the task of recording how the best of British local food is produced and the project – which began by focusing on Norfolk – should provide a fascinating insight into how the finest local food is produced and by whom.

And there's still plenty of time to get involved, with producers invited to take part in further events at Aga stores throughout the country. The events will be interactive and central will be tasting, so visitors will be able to sample produce. Usually, an Aga demonstrator will also be cooking, with the emphasis on inspiring people to use food grown or produced locally.
 
The Local Life national campaign is designed to showcase the finest produce and, in some small way, say thank you to our local food heroes. The campaign will also underline the link between the world’s best food and the world’s best cooker…

The in store events have been a true success so far in exploiting great food in your local area.  To join in the celebration of Local Life at your local Aga Shop, simply click here for further information.

Images (from top to bottom);

• Mark David was busy entertaining (and feeding) hundreds of visitors in London, using fresh vegetable from Mudchute City Farm
• Fresh, quality ingredients and the finesse of Aga cooking by Sue Wrigley were a fine combination at the Aga Shop,Tunbridge Wells
• William McGrath, Aga Rangemaster Group CEO, shows his support at the Aga Shop Adlington, marking the start of the nationwide Local Life campaign.
• Aga Demonstrator, Marcia Poole, with a fine selection of produce sourced within the High Wycombe area.
• A Local food hero, Graham Symes of Sheepdrove Organic farm at the Aga Shop, Bath.