Shoppers are being urged to buy 10% of their food and drink from local producers - and MP Helen Grant was one of the first people to back the campaign.

Produced in Kent launched the “10% Local” campaign at the Kent County Show.

It aims to encourage more people to source and buy locally-produced food and drink as part of their regular shopping routine. It also wants businesses to do the same, with managers responsible for procurement urged to make Kent produce at least 10% of their food and drink purchases.

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, is backing the campaign. She said: “I am delighted to support the launch of this campaign across Kent. Encouraging all of us to try and buy locally where we can is a wonderful idea, and making just 10% of our weekly shopping bill as local as possible should be within the reach of everyone.

“Kent has such a fantastic range of local food and drink producers, many of them very well supported by Produced in Kent. It is an important part of what this great county is about and a valuable element of our regional economy.”

Ed Martin, manager of Produced in Kent, based in Hadlow, added: “Buying locally and supporting local producers is more than just good common sense. It’s fun, it’s tasty and it’s great for jobs in Kent. We hope the campaign will spread far and wide.”

Formed in November 2005, Produced in Kent is a not-for-profit membership organisation, funded through a joint venture between Hadlow College and Kent County Council, to champion Kent food and drink.

Produced in Kent has come up with several slogans such as “Buy local 10% - love local 100%,” “Use local – or lose local,” “Your money spent locally stays locally.”

An average UK family spends about £70 per week on food and non-alcohol drink - £14.40 on meat and fish, £4 on fresh vegetables, and £3 on fruit.

Produced in Kent is asking the consumer to spend £1.44 a week on locally-sourced meat and fish, 40p on local vegetables, and 30p on local fruit. It claims that every pound spent locally generates £1.76 for local economy.