SHOPPERS are reducing their carbon footprint by buying 40 per cent more local products from a regional co-operative than five years ago.

The figures have been released by Southern Co-op as it celebrates a milestone anniversary for its local food and drink range - 15 years of Local Flavours.

With 80 convenience stores in Hampshire and a number of local producers, the Local Flavours team will be paying a visit to five Hampshire producers in May and June to recognise the hard work which has gone into making this possible - ChalkStream Foods, The Meon Spirit Company with Hill Farm Juice, Curry on Wheels, Laverstoke Park, and Claytons Eggs.

Southern Co-op has been working with Laverstoke Park for more than a decade. It is a farm spread over 2,500 acres near Overton owned and run by ex-racing driver and Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.

He wanted to create a farming environment that would follow nature as closely as possible, combining 21st century science, together with the most environmentally friendly farming methods available.

Alexandra Munday, sales and marketing executive at Laverstoke Park Farm, said: "We have been supplying Southern Co-op for over 10 years with our produce and in particular our Organic Buffalo Mozzarella.

"They are a friendly team to work with and we have great pleasure in telling our local customers that they can find our produce in the convenience of a trusted, local store such as Southern Co-op. As our brand grows and we widen our range, we hope they will continue to grow with us."

Southern Co-op's Local Flavours range was first introduced in 2007 on the Isle of Wight and supports farmers and producers, bringing the best local food and drink from across southern England to its convenience stores.

It currently includes around 2,000 products from more than 200 suppliers.

In 2021, there were more than 3.5million products sold from its Local Flavours range, a 40 per cent increase from just over 2.5m in 2017.

Matt Elliott, Southern Co-op's retail buying and services manager, who looks after the Local Flavours range, said: "Southern Co-op's enthusiasm for local food and drink comes from the amazing flavours, the dedicated people behind the products, and the benefits to the environment.

"As an independent, regional co-operative, we strive to be a sustainable and responsible business and our Local Flavours range is just one way in which we achieve this. Over the last 15 years, we have developed some incredible relationships with our Local Flavours producers and discovered hidden talent which has gone on to be stocked on shelves nationwide."

Every county where Southern Co-op trades has a bespoke Local Flavours range which may include cheeses, yogurts, cream, ice cream, cakes and baked goods, sandwiches, meat, fish or beer.

Will Dobson, owner of Hill Farm Juice, said: "Southern Co-op started working with Hill Farm Juice in the early days when the Local Flavours range was launched. We've worked very closely together ever since.

"The partnership with Southern Co-op, for us as a small business, it gives us a chance to get our brand out to customers on a local basis who wouldn't necessarily get to see us otherwise.

"The most noticeable thing about working with Southern Co-op on a Local Flavours basis, compared to my previous role dealing with buyers on a national scale, is that it is far more personable and I can phone any of the Local Flavours team whenever we need to discuss the business and we've now had a relationship which is measured in years rather than months."

To find out more about the Southern Co-op's Local Flavours range, visit thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/food/local-flavours/.