Promoting organic farming in Yorkshire
Photo: Yorkshire Organic Centre

LEADING members of the burgeoning organic food industry in Yorkshire are investigating ways of setting up a business network which will help them expand faster - and create a "greener" transport system.

For many years, organic growers and farmers have often acted independently, selling their produce in a relatively small local area and not tapping into what is becoming the fastest growing sector in the food market.

To help such producers find bigger markets, and reduce both cost and carbon dioxide emissions from delivery vehicles, they have asked academics from Hull University Business School to advise them on the possibility of setting up RON - a regional organic network.

The research was commissioned by the Yorkshire Organics Centre, based at the Skipton Auction Mart, and is considering cost savings such as setting up delivery rounds in which growers could use the same vehicles, thus cutting the cost and pollution of vans touring the countryside half empty.

• The research is being coordinated by consultant Charlie Fisher, who helped found the Out of this World organic shop chain ten years ago, and he is anxious to hear from people with ideas on how a RON should operate. He can be contacted on 0191-261-7719.