Wenlock Hampers offer a truly local food and drink experience with all products sourced from producers within a 26.2 mile radius – a marathon’s distance of Much Wenlock to celebrate the town’s historical links with the Olympic Games.

This novel concept is the brainchild of Heart of England fine foods (HEFF), the food group representing Shropshire and the rest of the heart of England region. HEFF has strong links with Wenlock as the food group was based there for 12 years before moving to manage the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury in 2010.

Wenlock Hampers was launched on Wednesday 27 July at The Square in Much Wenlock marking exactly one year until the London 2012 Olympic Games.

On the eve of the ‘one year to go’ milestone, HEFF Chief Executive Karen Davies presented former British athlete David Moorcroft with a Wenlock Hamper whilst he was visiting the town. Mr Moorcroft, originally from Coventry, was a middle-distance and long-distance runner, and former world record holder for 5,000 metres. He still holds the UK record for the 3,000 metres.

The hampers come in a range of sizes and styles but will all contain a selection of products from local producers, all of whom are members of Heart of England fine foods and all based within the 26.2 mile radius. A number of producers involved in Wenlock Hampers will be at the launch showcasing their products including Wenlock Spring, The Ludlow Nut Co, Image on Food, Mr Moyden’s Handmade Cheese and The Chocolate Nest.

Mrs Davies said: “We’re very excited to be officially launching Wenlock Hampers as we’ve already had national and international interest as we’re getting closer to the 2012 Games. The modern Olympic Games has a strong connection with Wenlock and so does HEFF so it’s wonderful to be able to bring the two together and give people a flavour of the area through locally produced food and drink.”

More information can be found on the Heart of England fine foods website www.heff.co.uk