Cooked meats, cheese and snacking products are the most popular produce from Dorset sold at regional co-operative stores across the south.

Southern Co-op shared the news as British Food Fortnight officially got underway on Saturday, September 18.

It runs until Sunday October 3.

Now in its 20th year, the campaign encourages people to seek out British food and drink.

This, in turn, will have an impact on sustainability and the action on climate.

In Southern Co-op’s convenience stores, the three top selling product ranges from Dorset producers are Wessex Country Gammons based in Three Legged Cross, Leopard Dairy Products near Blandford and Olives Et Al in Sturminster Newton.

Matt Elliott, Retail Buying & Services Manager at Southern Co-op who looks after its Local Flavours range, said: “There were some highs and lows in 2020 for our local producers but overall sales of our Local Flavours range remain strong thanks to continued customer support.

“Through our dedicated Local Flavours range, we celebrate local food and drink from around 200 regional suppliers including many in Dorset.

“Now is the perfect time to focus on the future so let’s use this year’s British Food Fortnight to continue supporting these local businesses and also try some of the incredible tastes available.”

So far this year, more than 95,000 individual products supplied by Wessex Country Gammons have been sold in Southern Co-op’s stores.

They include bacon and black pudding.

Richard Isaacs, MD, pictured left, who established the business in 1987, said buying local was essential for building a community and growing smaller businesses.

In particular, it allows people to understand mouth-watering produce can be bought without impacting the environment, helping to reduce food miles and carbon footprint.

Louis Whiting, pictured right, Sales & Customer Relationship Assistant, Wessex Country Gammons, said: “It has been a pleasure working alongside Southern Co-op to create a beautiful range of British produce, including lovely cooked and fresh meat products.

“The Wessex Country Gammons brand has become established in stores over the last four years.

“Built on a legacy of quality and tradition our products are renowned for their excellent flavours.

“We feel it’s important that we source from ethical and responsible British farms giving our customers a great quality product whilst ensuring high standards of welfare are met.

“This is just a couple of reasons why we feel our products are so popular.

“Another reason being, our continued high standard of supply and support – no issue is too small or challenge too big for the team at Wessex.”

There are 200 Co-operative Food stores across the South of England.

The independent co-operative’s Local Flavours range is available at most of its convenience stores.

• To find your nearest store, please click here. For more information on the Local Flavours range, click here.