DINNERS served up in school canteens throughout the country could soon be fresh from the fells as Cumbrian farmers are encouraged to consider supplying the public sector with their produce.

Around 45 farmers and suppliers from throughout the county heard at a meeting held in Penrith how they could see their products served up at local schools and hospitals.

Organiser of the meeting, Will Cockbain, a hill farmer from Keswick who has also been appointed the North West's Food and Farming Champion, explained that the public procurement market was worth around £2 billion.

He said that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was now pushing to increase the number of small and local producers supplying food for schools, hospitals, prisons and residential homes.

Mr Cockbain said increased public concern about food miles and how food was produced had encouraged the public sector to start seeking to provide locally produced food.

The English Food and Farming Partnership has set up a scheme called Share to Supply, which aims to bring farmers, processors and manufacturers together, to supply the public sector.

For more information on the Share to Supply initiative, visit www.effp.com or call 020-7213-0430.