MORE people are turning to local butchers since the revelation that some processed beef products sold by supermarkets in the UK contained up to 100% horsemeat.
The scandal has prompted shoppers to think about where their meat is coming from, and in Westbury there is the opportunity to buy food that has been produced locally.
Christopher Linham, of Linhams butchers in Maristow Street said, “People are coming in and are making a bit of fun of it. We’ve had a few new faces through the door which is good.” Much of the meat is sourced from Frome Market and their suppliers near Melksham. Christopher said, “It’s the whole name of the game for us; quality and traceability.”
Penleigh Farm Fresh rears its own sheep and pigs in Dilton Marsh, while other meat is carefully selected from local producers. The meat can be bought locally at the Co-op in Frome and Woody’s Farm Shop in Norton St Philip.
Farmer Owen Singer said, “A lot of new people have been coming in and asking questions, they are asking where their meat is coming from. People have been buying meat to make their own food a lot more – such as buying mince to make their lasagnes. Hopefully this will be good for the High Street in general, and encouraging people to use High Street butchers. People do think about what they’re eating now.”
Meat from Penleigh Farm Fresh is also stocked at Fairfield Farm College in Dilton Marsh who also rear their own animals and sell beef, pork, and lamb, in their farm shop.
Andy Down, shop manager said, “When people ask about food miles, we say ‘just over there’! We’re getting a lot of people asking about our locally sourced and home raised products. We try and keep our prices a little bit lower than the supermarkets; the beef we sell is very good quality, and the lamb chops are fantastic.”
