f3 is a Community Interest Company with co-operative principles, providing consultancy services to the local food sector. The CIC status means that our assets are locked to the community we serve, and additionally we commit one third of trading surplus to the support the growth of the sector.

We are the only UK consultancy specialising exclusively in this area and comprise some of the leading UK professionals and practitioners in local food economies and related disciplines.

Our logo, f3, represents the contribution which local food makes to three aspects of sustainability: invigorating local economies; sustaining diverse environments; and nourishing healthy communities.

Sustainable local food systems need to be nurtured from the bottom up - we work closely with local, central and regional government, health, development agencies and community-based organisations to build local capacity. In parallel, we work with supply chain and hospitality sector businesses to enable profitable opportunities.

The current members and associates and their main areas of expertise and experience are:

		Simon Michaels, director — business development and social enterprise, environmental planning, marketing and communications. Director of Localfoodshop, and partner in an artisan bakery.
		Alan Chubb — farmers’ markets, organic agriculture and composting, international production systems. Also owner of an organic vineyard.
		Alec Duthie - farmers' markets, organic production, woodland strategies, derelict land reclamation, permaculture design. Former smallholder.
		Amanda Woodland - research techniques, local food retail, accounting and company management systems.
		James Pavitt - farmers’ markets, social enterprise, village shops, and producer collaboration. Was awarded the 2003 Glenfiddich ‘Independent Spirit’ Food Award for his development of farmers’ market certification.
		Greg Pilley - particpatory planning and community based enterprise. Former manager of Soil Association's Community Supported Agriculture project, and director of a micro-brewery start-up.
		Kathy Merrett - business and marketing strategy advice to small and medium-sized food producers and supply chain businesses. Former Regional Food Group development manager and food buyer for Somerfield.
		Nick Weir - marketing, business managment, facilitation and human communications consultant. Founder member of Stroud Community Agriculture project.
		Jade Bashford - diverse work with public sector procurement, community projects and organic project development.
		Helen Thornton - marketing and PR advisor for food & drink sector organisations
		Robert Rees - food consultant, chef and former restaurateur. Formerly a Board Member of FSA. General Governor for the British Nutrition Foundation, Vice Chairman of Taste of the West, Member of the SME Taskforce for the Sector Skills Council and on the board of the new School Food Trust.
		Robert Weston - corporate, public sector and third sector communications, including corporate education and change programmes based on sustainability and ethical business themes. Manager of an eco-hotel.
		Jo Foster - research, nutrition, catering, urban environment and sustainable agriculture/horticulture. Current manager of Islington farmers' market.
		Jonathan Curtoys - environmental assurance schemes (developer of Conservation Grade scheme), and enabler for conservation-based production such as Sloe Motion and Farmed Environment Co.
		Steve Garrett - community development, cultural exchanges and community food projects.
		Ben Dent - former Defra and Impaerial college researcher with expertise in hubs and incubators
		Glyn Thomas - business planning and financial advisor with Business in Focus