You may be aware of various farmer-funding schemes, where veg boxes are pre-bought, and other schemes where locals invest in their farms; either by buying the seeds and inputs, or by owning a shareholding in the farm business. 

Part of the problem of all these local food schemes is distribution - all the good intent is undermined if lots of people get in their cars to collect the veg-boxes, for example! Here's an idea I heard about recently. It's called DeliBus (which is a name I really like; deli as in delivery and delicatessen, and connotations of 'delicious' too.
 
DeliBus is a converted modern coach, smartly painted up with veg and farm animals, which is fitted out as a mobile shop, with chill cabinets one side and veg racks the other. There is a ramp access at the rear and till and exit at the front, like a supermarket.
It collects farm produce direct from local farmers, and visits local villages, towns and market days in the local area. It is at the same place at the same time each week, and has a 'jingle' to announce its arrival. It 'tops up' with produce during its round.
It will sell dairy, fresh bread, meat, veg and fish - all your fresh food needs. It will help farmers get a fair price for their produce, and save them the cost of manning their own farm shop or visiting local markets with their own stall. It can also sell books, tools, basic hardware, gardening stuff, seeds, etc. It can have 'for sale' postcards and local events advertising on the back, at the entrance. It can even buy produce from local gardeners and allotments along the way!
This brings local fresh produce to villages without local shops (or worse, those with a Spar shop!) and will save dozens of car journeys. It will save local old people getting on the bus to go to Tesco. It will mean locals meet each other once a week. It could even include a mobile Post Office!
 
It could be quite profitable, and certainly has both green and social credentials. What do you think? Does it help our plans to encourage local food?