A trade show next month will urge retailers from across Yorkshire to sell local food in their shops.

The Farm to Local Shop event, to be staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground on February 15 and 16, aims to bring together producers, suppliers, retailers and hoteliers.

The Yorkshire Independent Grocers Association (YIGA) is organising the show at the Yorkshire Event Centre, which will focus on the new MoorsFresh project.

This scheme, backed by DEFRA, aims to make it easier for independent stores to stock local and fresh vegetables, cheeses and meats.

Association secretary Peter Brant said local shops had traditionally always sold local food, but the trend over the last decade had forced many changes. Now the association had decided to do something positive in an effort to reverse the trend.

On the evening of February 15, a gala dinner will be held, at which awards will be presented by YIGA to recognise the best in Yorkshire shops and suppliers.

Award categories included Best Local Shop, Best Village Shop and Best Farm Shop.

Updated: 09:31 Tuesday, January 21, 2003