FOOD made by small producers in North Yorkshire are to go on sale in Co-operative Food stores, which has signed a deal with local companies.

Brands such as Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream and Mercers of Yorkshire, based near York, will soon be on the shelves in county's convenience stores and food shops, as the Co-op pilots a scheme to champion regional food.

The Co-op has signed up more than 50 local manufacturers and micro producers to provide its stores in Yorkshire with a wide range of locally produced items including eggs, baked goods, ice cream, sweets, chutneys, pies, sausages and beer.

The Co-op is piloting the local sourcing initiative in Yorkshire but intends to roll it out to other parts of the country within 12 months.

Kate Jones, head of local sourcing, said: “Our customers have told us they want to buy local products at their Co-op store and so we have responded by teaming up with more than 50 new Yorkshire suppliers.

"Products made in the vicinity of our stores are prized by customers who want to support locally produced regional food which often helps to define a specific area such as Yorkshire.

“Our unique local sourcing initiative has been designed to break down the barriers which have previously made it difficult for small companies to supply large national organisations.

"Our vision is to champion a better way of doing business for you and your communities and what better way for us to do this than to sell as many locally produced goods as possible."

The company says it has worked closely with the suppliers in order to understand and unlock the logistical issues which in the past have prevented local firms providing relatively small amounts of their quality products to stores in their vicinity.

Items will be varied according to the differing tastes and foods in each part of Yorkshire.

Simon Williams, North Yorkshire Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small businesses are at the heart of their communities. They provide jobs and bring economic life and prosperity to their local area.

“Keep Trade Local is a message the Federation of Small Businesses has been promoting for a long time. This investment by the Co-op in its small suppliers shows a true understanding and commitment to these values.

“In Yorkshire we have a wide variety of regional products. We must do all we can to protect, support and encourage our local small businesses today and in the future.”