Food producers join forces

Food producers from Shropshire are joining forces with their counterparts in Spain to bring olives and other mediterranean delicacies to the county.

Seven business owners from the county have recently returned from an exchange trip to Valencia. The trip was organised by RuralScapes, a not for profit organisation based in Dudleston.

Rachel Wilkinson from RuralScapes said: "The project is a member of a European Food Network whose aim is to promote sustainable food production.

"A Spanish cooperative also a member of the network, hosted the event giving the producers the chance to meet other food producers, to learn about sustainable food production in Spain."

A European market was held on the final day of the trip where Spanish shoppers got the chance to taste traditional beers.

Having sampled the range of goods produced by the Spanish cooperative, Oswestry business owner Helen McArdle, has decided to stock a range in her delicatessen.

She is holding a tasting day on Wednesday at 10.30am and 2pm.

Details about the products or the collaboration with the Spanish farmer's cooperative is available on (01691) 690707.