We are gradually updating these pages. Food and agriculture are essential to Herefordshire’s culture and economy. We support local producers where possible and encourage domestic and community-led food growing initiatives.

Please find below some links that may be of interest to you:

Herefordshire's Food Strategy

How can we ensure the future of our food supply, protect the environment and support the local economy at the same time?

As founder members of the multi-agency Herefordshire Food Partnership, the Bulmer Foundation has led the development of a Sustainable Food and Drink Strategy for Herefordshire, which is now available to download.

The strategy is a response to the challenges and opportunities which lie behind the production of food and drink in the County, now and into the future.

The Strategy identifies six key themes where it is believed that, working together, the food and drink sector could have a real impact on sustainability, these are:

• Health and wellbeing
• The environment
• Local distinctiveness
• kills and capacity
• Policy influence

These themes form the basis of a set of Aims and Objectives and a subsequent Action Plan. Delivering the Strategy and Action Plan will now be the primary focus of the Herefordshire Food Partnership. 

To read the Herefordshire Food Strategy click here.

For more information go to: http://www.bulmerfoundation.org.uk/projects/food-strategy?mr=1219

Herefordshire Orchards Network of Excellence (HONE)

Do you grow cider fruit? Or, do you make cider and have an interest in how your apples are produced? In January of 2011, the Herefordshire Orchards Network of Excellence (HONE) was set-up to help take new (and some very old) ideas in cider fruit production to farmers' fields in the form of supported trials and to facilitate the sharing of these ideas as well as best practice. The project hopes to establish a strong and lively network of growers and cider makers who can together guide and propel the cider fruit industry through its transition towards greater sustainability. The network was officially launched in a hall full of 50 growers in March 2011 and continues to grow, now with nearly 100 members. To join this growing network, pop your contact details in the box to the right and hit 'submit'. You do not need to be based in Herefordshire to receive news and share ideas. However trials in and around Herefordshire will be given priority for the time being. 

For more information see: http://www.herefordorchards.co.uk/HONE/index.htm

Click here for more information about Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival

Renewable Energy for Farmers and Landowners

metnet the (Marches Environmental Technology Network) provided an event for Farmers and Landowners in Herefordshire on Wednesday 7 December 2011 at the Hereford Racecourse.

This was an ideal opportunity for farmers and landowners to find out more about the range of alternative technologies available to them for energy production, subsequent cost savings and potential for income generation.

Sir Ben Gill CBE opened and chaired the event. Former president of the NFU, Sir Ben is actively involved on the Marches LEP Board, works with a range of FSTE 100 companies,  and in 2005 chaired the Government’s Biomass Task Force producing a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve the uptake of biomass as a renewable energy source.

Delivered in association with Heartwoods the event featured presentations covering hydro power, biomass, solar and wind power and anaerobic digestion.   The presentations can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

Hydropower – David Williams, British Hydropower

Planning Considerations – Debby Klein, Herefordshire Council (Presentation available upon request to metnet)

Biomass & Renewable Heat Incentive – Nick Maskery, Heartwoods

Anaerobic Digestion – John Davies, E & J Solutions

Community Cooperative Financing Projects – Jon Halle, Sharenergy

Renewable Heat Incentives & Tariff Tax Implications – Whittingham Riddell

Solar & Wind – Caplor Energy Ltd

More information will be added to this page, so please check back. Alternatively use the search bar at the top of the page to look for specific items of interest.