Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 06 November 2008

THE Government’s food and farming spokesman Sir Don Curry was presented with a curry pie on a visit to Threlkeld on Tuesday.

CURRY’S CURRY: Sir Don Curry with Kate Currie (no relation) and a lamb curry pie

He was shown around The Pie Mill, where 120,000 pies are made each year, including many for Cumbrian schools.

The factory is among a growing band of county producers who have won contracts with Cumbria County Council to supply schools.

Sir Don said: “One of the challenges we face at the moment is how companies like this can keep delivering good food that is in line with nutritional guidelines.

“The council is helping companies manage the bureaucracy to win these contracts. One of the biggest challenges we’ve had is to get farmers to take these contracts seriously. We want to do what we can to reduce bureaucracy.”

Cumbria is leading the way in sourcing local produce for schools. A quarter of food served in county secondary and primary schools comes from local producers. These contracts are worth £1.25 million a year.

Sir Don advises the Government on food and farming policy and has been at the forefront of a campaign to source food for schools, hospitals and care homes as locally as possible. Graham Lewis, buying manager for the council, told him about work to involve farmers in the procurement process.

Mr Lewis said: “I think farmers find getting procurement contracts difficult. We want to help them take this opportunity.”

Will Cockbain, Keswick farmer and the North West’s food and farming champion, accompanied Sir Don during his visit to an organic farm in Kendal and The Pie Mill.

Mr Cockbain said: “The Pie Mill is a good example of a business engaged with public procurement. We have a company here using good local produce to feed our children.”

The Pie Mill is expected to turn over £300,000 this year, its fourth year of trading.