loveFOOD meets… a ‘buy local’ campaigner

Michael Smith is passionate about sourcing locally produced food, and has built his seaside business in strict accordance with that ethos. Here he tells us why locality is so important.

What the customer wants

“There are many fantastic benefits associated with sourcing produce locally,” says Michael. “And anyway, it’s what the customer wants – at least, that’s what I’ve learnt from being co-owner of The Venus Company, a beach café, takeaway and shop operator located at some of the most stunning beaches across Devon and Cornwall. (One of Michael’s cafés is located in beautiful Blackpool Sands, South Devon, the setting of which is pictured left).

“We’re a family-run business, and so we’ve always been keen to support our surrounding economy, its farmers, producers and other related businesses; it’s one of the main factors that drives us to source our products from the region. That and their outstanding taste and freshness, of course.”

Local is best!

Michael and his wife Louisa strive to minimise the harmful effects their business and its operations could have on the environment – buying local, for example, greatly reduces food miles. Each year Venus spends around £500,000 on local goods and services from 71 Devon and Cornish companies, and 82% of Venus's expenditure is with local firms (including Eversfield Organic, Riverford Dairy, Langage Farm, Yeo Valley, and Sharpham Vineyard). Only packaging is sourced from outside of the area, as it cannot be found locally.

Michael and Louisa also help develop sustainability in the regional economy through enterprise and innovation. Venus was one of the first companies in the UK to use a fully-compostable hot drinks cup and lid, for example. As such, it’s twice won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development in 2010 and 2005, and is one of only ten companies throughout the UK to have been awarded a sustainability honour in 2010. The judges described Venus as “a rare example of a sustainable café chain”. 

Food and Drink Devon

Michael previously worked with the Foreign Office, travelling the world, and this, as well as managing a chain of 120 restaurants in North America for Whitbread, helped shape his views and knowledge of the food industry. Michael’s purchasing policy is to buy local, tasty, healthy products (rather than the cheapest options), and wherever possible to source organic products. Plus everything is GM free.

In 2008 Michael took over as Chair of the board of directors for Food and Drink Devon, frequently referred to as ‘Love the Flavour’. Founded with the aim of representing like-minded businesses dedicated to producing food and drink of the very highest quality, Food and Drink Devon works tirelessly to increase the county’s profile. It's also busy championing its producers, some of which Michael boasts are among the very best in the country. 

“Producers from Devon offer a hugely varied and exciting range of food and drink,” says Michael. "This, combined with the dedication of many of the region’s hospitality and retail businesses to serve and sell this wonderful produce, is putting Devon firmly on both the UK and the international food map.”

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