DEFA will be inviting representatives of the Island’s major retailers to meet with the Department, to discuss their stance towards stocking local produce and their role in supporting the community and economy by offering as much choice of Manx food and drink as possible.
The meetings will contribute to the development of a Food Security Strategy for the Isle of Man, to meet the short and long term challenges posed by a range of factors including climate change (and its’ impact on local weather), rising world food prices and population levels. As an Island nation, the Isle of Man faces particular challenges in ensuring the security and affordability of its supply of food products.
DEFA Minister Phil Gawne, MHK said:
'Supermarkets and other retailers in the Isle of Man have an important role to play in ensuring consumers have access to local alternatives to imported products. I am pleased to see that this is already happening in some areas, but we would like to see more choice available and this will require closer working together throughout the supply chain. Large retailers also have a corporate social responsibility to ensure that they make a positive contribution to the local community. By supporting local producers and processors, they can maximise their contribution to the Island's economy as there is a notable 'multiplier effect' to the Manx Treasury when local produce is bought, compared to imported equivalents. This in turn creates more on-Island employment, cuts down on the amount of packaging used and on the emissions which result from transporting of goods'.
