What’s driving Europe’s local food movement?
Speaking to FoodNavigator at SIAL in Paris, de Reynal says that among the reasons for this increased awareness of local products is a desire to support local economies in tough economic times, but the main driver is a multifaceted fear of the unknown.
There are many ways in which manufacturers are communicating their local credentials, including stating ‘made in France’ or a particular region on-pack, or even displaying the face of the farmer or producer behind a product’s main ingredients.
De Reynal added that although 64% of French consumers say that they would pay more for a local product – and there is clear interest in local food – there is sometimes a disconnect between what consumers say and what they do, so she urges caution.
