A new survey, carried out by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) ahead tomorrow’s Open Farm Sunday, revealed that consumers want to support British farmers, although some may already be doing so without even realising. Although many consumers think we should produce more food in Britain, the majority are unaware how much our farmers already grow.

Nearly half of consumers (48%) said that they thought British farmers should produce more of the UK’s food, but the survey revealed that people vastly underestimate how much is already produced in this country. Although we are currently 60% self-sufficient in the UK, consumers on average believed this to be closer to 35%. The country of origin (42%) was the third most popular purchase driver for fresh food choices, with price (74%) and special offers (51%) the only factors proving more influential. More than a quarter (27%) of those surveyed say they buy more British food than they did five years ago, and the same number said they were happy to pay more for food produced in Britain.

The survey also revealed that over a quarter of those questioned (26%) had never visited a farm. On average, those questioned had not visited a working farm in over nine years.

Hopes Ash Farms at Hope Mansell near Ross-on-Wye will be joining hundreds of other farms across the country taking part in farming’s national open day and opening their gates to visitors for Open Farm Sunday tomorrow (June 5th).

Robert Davies from Hopes Ash Farms said: “There is a lot to discover about the world of farming – so do come and join us on Open Farm Sunday and find out more. Everybody at Hopes Ash Farm are really looking forward to welcoming everyone and showing them around our farm.”