Helston Local Food Hub celebrates its one year anniversary

The Helston Local Food Hub started during the first Covid-19 national lockdown when Helston Farmers’ Market was unable to open and producers had lost a valuable market whilst customers were no longer able to easily access their favourite local food.

The Helston Local Food Hub, which is run by Alastair Cameron and supported by Helston Climate Action Group, operates in a similar way to a click and collect service at a supermarket.

Elizabeth McKetta with her Food Hub collection.

What makes the Helston Local Food Hub different is its relationships with over 30 local producers whose stock is delivered every Saturday morning so customers can collect in Helston, Constantine, Mullion and St Keverne and Porthallow.

Alastair Cameron said: "We always wanted Helston Farmers’ Market to be more regular than once a month.

"But busy producers couldn’t afford to spend the time at the market each week.

"This way, they know exactly what they have sold, so there is no waste and they just drop it off with us each Saturday ready for our customers to collect."

Imogen Bone from Helston with some spring greens

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Over the past year of being in operation, the Helston Local Food Hub has sold over £57,000 worth of produce and, with 80% of this income going direct to the producers, the food hub has become a significant player in the local food economy.

"We want to be able to support local producers with a fair price for their produce and to allow the local community to be able to access great quality, low food-miles, local food.

"It’s been interesting starting this enterprise during a pandemic and we hope people will stick with us and local producers as everything opens up again."

Local residents appear to be enjoying using the service provided by Helston Local Food Hub.

Jill Dunstan, who lives in Helston said: "The quality, range and freshness of the produce is excellent, as is the fact that most of it is very local."

Melissa Benyon, New Helston Town Councillor collets from the Food Hub and Incredible Edible.

Christine Pinder from Mullion liked the link with local producers, saying: "We have tried to continue supporting local producers during the pandemic in the hope that they will still be in business when things get back to normal.

"We are also keen on reducing food miles and eating fresh produce."

The full range of produce can be viewed on the Hub’s new website www.helstonlocalfoodhub.co.uk and it is open for orders every week, with the orders closing on Thursday midday for the Saturday collection.

For more information please e mail Alastair at helstonlocalfoodhub@gmail.com or call on 07421 271106