INDEPENDENT food traders in Enfield battling the recession have given a lukewarm welcome to efforts by Enfield Council to promote locally produced and sold foods to increase sustainability and healthy eating.

The council hopes to promote local food with the launch of its food strategy consultation, to get as many people as possible in the borough to reduce food waste and buy locally in a bid to tackle climate change.

Food traders have said anything the council can do to increase customers in the town centre is positive, but warned they still faced unprecedented hard times.

Lee Holyomes manager and joint owner of S J Smith butchers in Baker Street, Enfield, said: "There doesn't seem to be the people about that there used to be. The supermarkets certainly have an effect. We rely on the other small shops to draw customers in and we all benefit. We used to have a bike shop nearby and a lot of customers would come in who were heading there."

Mr Holyomes specialises in high quality meats free of additives and home made pies - sourcing much of the meat he sells from farms in Chelmsford.

Dennis Harnett, owner of F Berndes fishmongers in Church Street, Enfield, said his shop has been in the town since 1948. It now faces the most difficult trading of the 17 years he has been in charge. He added: "It is quiet, but Enfield hasn't been like it was for some time. There are a lot of problems - and the parking is a big issues. Suggestions that the parking charges are going up hasn't helped."

Mr Harnett gave a cautious welcome to the council's new strategy: "It all depends on what they are planning to do. All I can say is in all the time I have been here, nothing much the council has done has helped. What do we get for the rates we pay? We don't even get our rubbish collected."

The council hopes the food strategy will strengthen existing networks to increase business between local suppliers, local restaurants and national buyers.

As part of the food strategy, the council will continue to encourage healthier eating and help to address food-related health inequalities caused by poor diet.

Last year Enfield Council was one of the first 15 organisations to receive the 'Good Food on the Public Plate' award recognising the council's commitment to sustainable sourcing of food for its schools and public catering services.

Councillor Del Goddard, cabinet member for regeneration and improving localities, said: "The way we produce, transport, shop for, cook, eat and dispose of our food has an impact on so many things - the environment, our health and the local economy.

"We welcome comments from all sections of the community on all or part of the Food Strategy."

Enfield Council is working with local businesses and organisations including the Enfield Strategic Partnership, NHS Enfield, EBRA, the North London Chamber of Commerce, Capel Manor and Southgate College to deliver the plans in the strategy.