The country’s biggest annual national celebration of British food and drink takes place from 17th September to 2nd October and communities across the country will be flying the flag for home grown produce during the fourteenth British Food Fortnight.

Bath and North East Somerset Council will be championing fresh and fabulous local produce by co-ordinating a lively programme of celebrations, activities and competitions throughout the area and launching an online Local Food Directory in partnership with Big Barn, the UK’s number one local food map, and Fresh-Range.com to enable residents and visitors to easily find and buy local food and drink. Simply visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/localfoodmap to find local food producers and retailers near you.

Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North) Cabinet Member for Community Services said: “The new Local Food Directory is a fantastic way to showcase the very best in local produce and to encourage customers to think local and support businesses across Bath and North East Somerset. Buying local not only helps the local economy, but helps the environment by cutting food miles – reducing the need for food to be transported across vast distances.”

Some of this year’s main events, activities and competitions include:

• Taste of Timsbury Festival, 17th September, 10 am – 3 pm,

Conygre Hall, Timsbury BA2 0JQ

Timsbury’s community is holding its very first ‘Taste of Timsbury’ food and drink festival, complete with local producers and an exciting line-up of talks and cooking demonstrations.

• Alice Park Café Taste of B&NES event: 18th and 25th September

Alice Park is providing a special ’Taste of B&NES’ menu for the entire British Food Fortnight! Join them for their special Taste of B&NES celebrations on Sunday, 18th and 25th September.

• The Great British Breakfast School Lunch, 28th September

The Council’s School Catering Service will be serving a special ‘Great British Breakfast lunch’ at primary schools across the area. Prepared using fresh, locally sourced and healthy ingredients, the lunch reflects the most iconic of British dishes and gets children involved in our great food traditions and delicious local produce.

The lunch also marks the launch of the Service’s new school food contract, which gives local producers greater opportunities to supply primary school meals and increases options for seasonal produce on the menu.

• The Great Bath Feast (1st – 9th October)

British Food Fortnight culminates in the Great Bath Feast, which includes gourmet offers and a new Bath Bites Food and Drink Fair!

For more information, including the full programme of events, please visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/BritishFoodFortnight