OUR Great North Country Fare campaign, which has been running almost a year now, has demonstrated a big appetite among consumers for good quality local food.

All the indications are that demand for locally-produced food is increasing. The number of farmers' markets continues to grow and producers are finding more ways to get their products to the marketplace.

But a key issue is still the distance between the farm gate and consumers. Farmers' markets are excellent but their one drawback is that they are, in the main, only held once a month in any one town.

Unless you have a farm shop on your doorstep (and by definition that is unlikely for the majority of the population), or live close to specialists grocers such as Lewis & Cooper in Northallerton or Elijah Allen at Hawes, access to a decent range of local produce is therefore restricted.

Some producers do their best to make their products available by using the internet and post. Many also have a limited number of retail stockists which they supply. But, despite these efforts it remains difficult for most people to find a regular and convenient way to buy local produce week-in, week-out.

Last Sunday's Farm to Local Shop event at Harrogate, organised by the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association, flagged up the role local shops could play in helping local produce reach a wider audience.

While some do their best to stock local produce, many could more to assist the local economy (and themselves) by making local food a major part of their offer. Whilst the difficulties of distribution should not be underestimated, there are initiatives addressing them, most notably the Moorsfresh company's work in North Yorkshire.

The inaugural Local Shop Awards, which preceded the main event at Harrogate, were a celebration of the best in local retailing and local food production, demonstrating the importance of the two sectors working together for mutual benefit.

If this co-operation can be encouraged within Yorkshire and outside (the association is actively seeking members in County Durham) there is a great opportunity to make locally-produced food far more accessible to local people.