A local food challenge

A CLEVEDON woman has been cooking up some traditional English meals as part of a challenge to only consume food and drink produced within a 50-mile radius of Clevedon.

A CLEVEDON woman has been cooking up some traditional English meals as part of a challenge to only consume food and drink produced within a 50-mile radius of Clevedon.

Ruth Gofton has not been to a supermarket since the start of her month-long challenge at the beginning of September and even her friends and neighbours have helped by making their own dishes from local produce.

The 44-year-old of Glebe Road took on the challenge after joining the recently-formed environmental group, Transition Clevedon.

She managed to buy locally-grown fruit and vegetables from The Veg Box in Old Street and resorted to making her own bread and pastry using flour cultivated in Street, Somerset.

Ruth said: “I have really learnt a lot.

“The hardest thing is the hot drinks - not being able to have tea or coffee - they are part of a social habit.

“Going to smaller shops and farm shops it is a lot more about people and community rather than going to an anonymous supermarket.

“I have cooked a lot more traditional English food including hot pots and roast dinners as all of the ingredients are available.

“The quality of food has been a lot higher.”

At the end of her challenge Ruth still aims to use as much local food as possible but will allow herself to use spices and drink tea and coffee.

As well as raising awareness of the need to be more sustainable during her challenge, Ruth has also been trying to raise money Amani Children’s Home in Tanzania and also for Transition Clevedon to begin more projects in the town.