He is joining up the dots in the Frome food world - and has some really interesting ideas too on how the town can get fed better from some of the best food producers in the UK, without it having to cost the earth.

In our latest UP CLOSE we speak to Hugh Thomas, who is the co-ordinator of the Frome Food Network.

One of his recent posts was on the price of sourdough in Frome, and as you might expect it was met with some hot responses. Frome's Rye Bakery sourdough loaf costs £4.50 - HERE : he explains why . But many people wrote that this was just snobbery and profiteering. But how can you feed a town well, using local produce, and keep within a budget? Well be curious for a start.

Frome Nub News went along to find out more about food and Frome and why he would like to create a Food Curious Citizen. Firstly, so we asked him why Frome does not have a gourmet restaurant ?

" That's true, the closest one is probably in Bruton, but we have a thriving food culture. Frome has a very good neighbourhood café culture and a number of place do really good food. We also have some very good local food producers, who don't get as much attention as they should. People want to know more about where their food comes from and I like exploring myself and writing about agriculture."

Tells us about the Frome Food Network?

Frome Town Council asked me to file a report on food in and around Frome, who is growing what where and and how we can supply the town with more local food - inexpensively.

"That led on to the creation of a project to involve key stakeholders in the local food network and how we can get together to overcome problems.

"The report is on how we can future-proof food. But I don't want the report to end there, so the first Friday of every month we meet as people looking to connect better within the food network. Selling it, distributing it, growing it.. anything to do with food. So far the group has 66 members. I also want to include as many 'eaters' as possible."

Hugh's background

"I started writing about luxury restaurants, at times I did get to eat at them, but not as a reviewer, but profiling the chef and what they did. The best place I have ever eaten? Well that's an impossible question like what is your favourite film. But I do have very fond memories of a very simple Italian place in Deptford * one of my favourites. You could spend about £20 and get three courses of very simple. That would be my top wish for Frome, somewhere with very well-cooked, modestly-priced Italian food. "

The future of food

"One idea we have had is creating a People's Assemble for Food for Frome. Like the Bristol Food Union Bristol Food Union (this is non-profit social enterprise bringing together which aims to create a city "where our cafes and restaurants help feed our hungriest citizens, and everyone has access to delicious, nutritious food regardless of their background or income." ) There is a similar idea operating in Plymouth.

"For Frome itself I would love to get a great pasta place - a simple venue to drop in for a great pasta which could incorporate local grains into the pasta. It doesn't need to be starred or gourmet, but a good supper-based venue. Oh and I love our market, the cheese guys there are brilliant, Parson's Nose is brilliant... I could go on. "

Go for a food explore

"So what can Frome do ? Well find out more about what is around us and the options. We have Vallis Veg vegetable boxes which are very good at what they do, but there is a waiting list. But there are smaller equally brilliant operations. Such as Root Connections (HERE) which delivers on a Tuesday and Moonacre which delivers on Thursdays (HERE) which farms in Kilmersdon Delivering boxes at a similar price with similar values. including organic principles.

"These cost more and we need to price this in, but it is important to understand that organic food is not cheaper and why.

" Quite simply, it costs a lot of money to grow organic food it takes more time and costs more. But I do believe people can afford better produce and but it is a tough question how do we feed low income families on better organic food. One of the positive things that is happening is Dynamic Procurement Systems.

"Not a particularly sexy term but it means essentially getting small batches of local food into places like schools and hospitals, which would previously be supplied on bigger scale. It can improve the diets of children massively. This was a pilot scheme in B&NES and they are now trialling something similar across the South West. Cheap nutritious dishes it is a big challenge ( as cost of living rises) but there are hopes."

Why don't we have a Michelin starred restaurant?

"I would be interested to know why chefs don't come here but also I am very tempted to say that a Michelin star is not always a good barometer of quality food. We have great places like the High Pavement and then Bistro Lotte, which does French food very, very well.

"But I am most interested in getting the people of Frome using local produce. I think we have a number of local producers of food that are quite simply some of the the best in the UK, but there is not enough awareness of them and what they do.

What do you aim to do ?

"I want people to start saying Frome and Food in the same sentence - it is funny to call it a scene, because that is a word you might think is synonymous with cities, or larger towns, but Frome could have a scene.

"I do hope that people will start to talk about Frome and why don't we go out into the town to eat out. But I want to see food curious citizens finding out what is grown locally. Looking into the cost of local food and appreciating the worth of paying a bit more for local food... a broader approach and understanding of what is happening the local area."

You can read about the Network and how to sign up HERE :

• https://marcella.london/