Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has welcomed a report which showed the value of cohesive, healthy local food webs to developing the rural economy and supporting local communities. South Lakes MP Tim Farron welcomed the report, released last week by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, which slammed the role government inaction and supermarket business practices have had in undermining the UK’s local food networks.

Mr Farron said the local food of his constituency county of Cumbria has the potential to support vibrant town centres and countryside. The report, which examined 19 locations across England, found that across the country local food webs are used by 16.3 million customers a week and sales of local food through independent outlets generate £2.7 billion a year for the economy. These outlets support over 100,000 jobs, 61,000 of which are directly attributable to local food sales, around a third more than supermarkets operating in comparable areas.

The Lib Dem MP encouraged his constituents to support their local businesses, which, as the CPRE report showed, would more likely result in their money circulating in the local economy for longer, instead of being extracted and consolidated elsewhere by large retailers.

He said, "In Cumbria we are incredibly lucky to have food businesses like the Hawkshead Brewery, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Company and brilliant entrepreneurs."

Food policy experts have stepped up calls on government to develop a cohesive food policy, which brings together considerations for the environment, health and wellbeing and sustainable food production in recent months.

Following a meeting in April, European Commissioners called for action to shorten supply chains, which they suggested are favour of large processers and retailers, but not consumers and producers. They suggested that shortening supply chains and supporting local networks would be an effective means of balancing power, reducing waste and boosting sustainability.

In response to the CPRE’s findings, Defra pointed to its forthcoming Green Food Project, which it said would address many of the concerns raised by the report.

Mr Farron commented, "There are wonderful brands that are putting Cumbria in the shop window, but I want the government to do more to support local businesses. We need a credible strategy to grow Britain's farming and food industry."

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