SALES of locally produced foods have hit an all time high with nearly a third (30 per cent) of shoppers now making a monthly purchase.

This is twice the number of people who were buying locally produced food four years ago, according to a survey by food and grocery analysts IGD.

Over half they said they purchased local food because it has not travelled far and is fresher, and because they wanted to support local producers and farmers.

Over a third said they bought it to support local retailers, while 29 per cent said they wanted to keep jobs in the local area.

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of the IGD, said there were a number of factors behind the figures, but chief among them was "support for the local economy."

She added: "Support for ethically produced foods in general has withstood the pressures of an 18 month recession and is in fact growing, despite the tough economic conditions."

She said increased demand for other ethically produced foods was underlined by the fact that 27 per cent of people were now buying Fairtrade products every month, up from nine per cent four years ago.

A further 18 per cent were buying products with high animal welfare standards, up from 11 per cent in 2006.

Ms Denney-Finch said: "These figures prove what we have been saying throughout the recession – shoppers are looking for both value and values. They are not simply looking for cheaper food in tough times. They also expect the grocery industry to support their moral and ethical values."

IGD also asked shoppers what improvements they would like to see to their food and grocery shopping experience.

Once again, support for locally produced food was up, with 31 per cent saying they would like more local products available to them, compared with 12 per cent in 2005. One in five said they would like a farmers’ market or farm shop to be established nearby.