IT’S ENCOURAGING that Morrisons is giving local food and drink producers the opportunity to pitch for a place on the shelves of its supermarkets.

Lots of fabulous food and drink is produced by smaller firms around the Bradford district and across West Yorkshire as a whole.

The Morrisons scheme fits particularly well with the idea currently being pursued by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the leader of Bradford Council, in relation to the “Bradford Pound” and how she wants to encourage people to buy local produce and for local firms to buy off each other.

Indeed, it’s important that local people have the chance to support our local growers and producers for the benefit of the district’s economy.

These producers need local customers more than they need out-of-area buyers because they are their bread and butter.

There is clearly a need for big national chains to help support the local economy more and there’s no doubt that initiatives such as this are a step in the right direction.

It can only be a good thing for the balance of the economy and the reduction of their carbon footprint if a higher percentage of food sold in supermarkets is sourced within, for argument’s sake, a 30-mile radius.

Once Morrisons has selected its latest batch of local suppliers, it would be great to see regular in-store events held, where those producers would be invited to talk to shoppers about their production methods.

In the meantime, we will look forward to seeing lots of good local products in the district’s stores.