Online resource Farms to Feed Us launched to connect with communities

In response to the dramatic impact the Covid-19 lockdown has had on many small farms across the UK, a new online resource has been launched to connect growers, producers and fishers with their local communities.

Farms to Feed Us gives shoppers the opportunity to source fresh produce grown close-by on a small and sustainable scale, while supporting those on the frontline working harder than ever to keep Britain fed.

Founded by regenerative agriculture organiser Cathy St Germans, Farms to Feed Us sets out to strengthen the UK's food system and create a sustainable supply chain for the future. The volunteer-run resource already lists more than 200 businesses from the country's nimble and resilient food and farming network.

St Germans commented: "Farms to Feed Us was born in response to initiatives I was seeing locally and nationally from farmers having to turn their supply chains around overnight. I have put together a small team of volunteers to create a database of new delivery and mail order initiatives, which have come about because of the crisis.

"The database is lo-fi and easily accessible by the elderly and those who do not use social media, so we can all play our part in strengthening the food chain which is flowing from our fields and farms, and support our farmers and fishers through this terrible time.

"We are hoping this supply chain can have some lasting effect once the Covid-19 crisis is over and we will have a new market who we hope will want to maintain their new relationships with small scale farmers, fishers and other independent food suppliers."

The Farms to Feed Us database can be found here.

Image by Scott Grummett