ORGANISERS of a city's food and drink festival will focus on the quality of local produce during a special debate today.

The Real Food Debate takes place at the Riverside Cafe, York, and is aiming to increase the availability of local food.

Organiser Laura Potts, from the University College of Ripon and York, said: "The idea is to get the community together to talk about what kind of food we want to be available locally, at prices we can afford.

"We will be building on the good work already done in setting up farmers' markets and vegetable boxes, and we will be supporting local producers.

"The benefits to consumers of opening the supply of this type of food range from fewer allergy problems to a stronger local economy, and from lower pesticide levels to better taste, so there is something for everyone."

People attending the debate will have the chance to take part in taste tests to discover the difference between produce from organic sources and imported foods.