A rolling summary of regional and national press stories relating to local food:

Weds Sept 15th: Launch of Flexigraze: screening of 'Food Inc', Robert Kenner's documentary on the mechanisation of farming, at the Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Newcastle 7.30pm - followed by a presentation from Flexigraze. There will be opportunity to try some of the lamb and other nibbles provided by Richard at Singing Kettle Scrumpy Willow. Flexigraze specialises in grazing Nature Reserves and important grasslands throughout North East England. This is called 'conservation grazing' which means grazing for the benefit of the indigenous plants and animals, as well as for the livestock. By using different species and breeds of livestock, Flexigraze manages the grasslands to maintain and enhance their biodiversity. For further details on Flexigraze, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of Northumberland Wildlife Trust

According to the Daily Mail, Ginsters pasties take a 250 mile round trip to get from the factory to the Tesco store next door. Professor Tim Lang explains the downfalls of a highly efficient business model.

Telegraph: People on benefits should be encouraged to take up summer work picking fruit and vegetables, according to Government advisers. The Fruit and Vegetable Task Force warned of an impending shortage of labour in the horticulture industry. They want the Coalition to change the benefit systems as part of an overall review so that the unemployed are guaranteed a rise in income if they take a job.

Independent: Christopher Hirst on the myth of the rural idyll: “In the Platonic ideal of country life, as envisaged by romantically inclined townies, we do our shopping by bicycle in village grocers. In fact, the vast majority drive to Morrisons. In large villages and market towns, small shops survive and some are excellent. Being near the coast, we are blessed with fish shops in French profusion and quality. Butchers are equally excellent and often the only surviving shop in many villages. But it would be foolish to deny that pretty much everyone round here wants a supermarket. North Yorkshire towns so far deprived are now taking the plunge. Tesco is coming to Filey, Sainsbury to Whitby, and Malton is selling off a car park to make space for a supermarket. “

Telegraph: Farmers markets are not allowed to advertise locally due to outdated planning regulations, despite the explosion in popularity with more than 500 local markets set up around the country generating millions of pounds for the rural economy.