The Southern Co-op is promoting its range of locally-sourced products in support of British Food Fortnight, which launches later this month. 

Running from September 22 to October 7, the society is showcasing nearly 200 local suppliers during the fortnight through its Local Flavours range.

The range features products from 13 different southern England counties and is available in 196 Southern Co-op stores. The Local Flavours product portfolio includes seasonal fruit and veg, fish and meat, cheeses, chutney, bakery goods and beers.

Southern Co-op chief operating officer for retail Simon Eastwood said: “Our Local Flavours range is a really important aspect to our retail stores and last year we celebrated its tenth anniversary.

“It was first launched on the Isle of Wight as we wanted to support some of our amazing local food and drink producers. Today, we currently have nearly 1,900 different types of local products sitting on our shelves.”

Between February and August this year, shoppers bought nearly two million local products from Southern Co-op stores - the equivalent of 62,493 units a week.

Local producers featured in the Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range include; cake producer Sussex Bakes from Chichester, brewer Hall & Woodhouse from Blandford St Mary and frozen ready meal company Cook Trading from Sittingbourne.