The Birmingham Post has launched a campaign to encourage people to buy more locally produced food.

The paper is urging caterers to do more to support Midlands producers after it found that less than half the restaurants in the area serve food that has been produced locally.

It conducted a survey of more than 60 restaurants, but found only 40 per cent bought most of their supplies from local producers, even though 65 per cent said they wanted to source more food regionally.

The importance of local food was highlighted when the Post ran its first farmers' market competition last year, and after talking to local producers it decided to do something to raise awareness.

During the week it is running a series of articles focussing on restaurants who buy local food and get more business as a result, and will also be dispelling myths such as that local food is more expensive to buy.

On Friday it will also launch a certification scheme, where restaurants who can prove they buy predominately locally produced food will get a certificate from the Post.

The paper is also planning to target schools later in the month.

Launching the campaign, editor Fiona Alexander told readers: "We have some of the finest producers in the country on our doorstep yet many restaurants and schools continue to source their food from countries thousands of miles away.

"We want to encourage more people to support their local producers and, at the same time, benefit from fresher, seasonal foods."

Prince Charles has also given the campaign his backing.

Writing a letter of support, he told the paper: "I could not be more pleased to support The Birmingham Post's food campaign to encourage people to buy food produced locally.

"Birmingham is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and productive countryside in England and I do congratulate The Birmingham Post for doing what it can to make more people aware of the treasures which lie, quite literally, on its doorstep."

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