A TASTE of the countryside is set to be brought to urban Burnley and Padiham with the launch of a new initiative.

The Cropshare scheme, by Burnley Food Links, will provide regular bags of fruit and vegetables from local farmers and producers to customers across the borough.

Award-winning chef Steve Smith, from the Freemasons at Wiswell, will be giving cookery demonstrations at the Charity Arch in St James Street to promote the scheme on Saturday.

The project, based at Freshfields, in Cemetery Lane, aims to cut the number of ‘food miles’ items make from producers to buyer as well as providing healthy produce.

Small bags of fruit and veg, with six or seven kinds, will be available for £6 and larger sacks, with eight or nine varieties, for £10.

Helen Meade, Cropshare co-ordinator, said: “We ran a pilot scheme last year, and the produce in the bags was absolutely fantastic, and very good value for money.

“The event on Saturday is a chance for people to come along and celebrate growing and eating good, local food.

“They can find out more about what we’re doing and sign up for a month’s trial of the scheme if they’d like to.”

Two polytunnels have been renovated at the Freshfields project to kickstart the work and several other farms are set to come on board.

Not only is it hoped that the venture will improve the eating habits of Burnley people but farmers will be given a trading boost.

The launch date for Cropshare is June 10 and for more details call 07501 023519 and leave a message with contact details.