COUNCILS are being urged to ensure they buy locally produced food and drink.

The Country Land and Business Association claims public procurement of locally produced food is "woefully inadequate".

It is now asking central Government to support local farmers.

East Midlands director Helen Woolley said: "The CLA believes public bodies must be given incentives to source food locally so that customers of the public sector are able to enjoy high quality local produce at a reasonable price.

"Out of a public sector food annual budget of around £1.8 billion, a mere two percent – equating to £36 million – is spent on local food.

"This was in 2008 and nothing much has changed.

"The Government must throw its weight behind British farmers and growers and support local food and the UK farming industry."