Campaign set to encourage support for local produce and services

THE importance of supporting local services, produce and voluntary groups is to be highlighted in a week-long Go Local campaign starting on Sunday.

Behind the promotion are the Irish Farmers Association, the GAA, churches, post offices, shops and vintners.

Local dwellers will be encouraged by patron organisations to become more involved and support the many valuable local businesses surrounding them through an information campaign on media, radio and print.

The initiative is being co-ordinated by IFA Countryside, the rural affairs wing of the 86,000 member IFA.

IFA Countryside chairman David Wilkinson urged farm families and rural homes to get actively involved.

“The importance of local services and organisations to rural economies cannot be underestimated in terms of community support, social interaction and job creation,” he said

Mr Wilkinson said it is essential that people realise that, by buying Irish and shopping locally, every week, they are supporting their neighbours, friends and families which all leads to a more vibrant community.

“Supermarket groups must also play their part and be seen to support local and Irish produce and to be playing fair with their suppliers so that they can also stay in business.”

Mr Wilkinson said he looked forward to working with local post offices, GAA clubs, pubs, churches and shops in communicating the Go Local message during the campaign.