Ultra-marathon runner Rob Pope, known as the UK’s ‘real-life Forrest Gump’, is passing through Cumbria as part of an over 500-mile challenge.
Mr Pope is taking on the journey to explore the journey of food from farm to fork across Britain, and is set to stop by Nestlé’s coffee factory in Dalston on September 4, as part of the route.
The challenge, called The Taste Trail and set by Nestlé, started in Ayrshire on September 2 and finishes in Brighton.
Mr Pope’s journey includes stops at key food production sites across the country, including York, the Midlands, and Crawley.
Mr Pope said: “As a runner, food was always fuel to me.
“And most people treat it the same way.
“We grab it, eat it and move on.
“We don’t always think about where it came from or who made it.
“Now I’m taking the long way back to it, slowing down to learn where my food is grown and produced right here in Britain.
“Today, I’m in Cumbria to learn about how fresh milk from local dairy farms is used to make some of the nation’s best-known coffees.
“Over 500 miles, coast to coast, my journey covers a dairy farm in Ayrshire, through chocolate city York, the distribution heartland in the Midlands, down to Brighton on the south coast.
“I’ve spent my life trying to go faster.
“This time I’m doing the opposite – slowing right down to learn where my food is grown and produced right here in Britain.”
The Taste Trail forms part of Nestlé’s ‘Made by Britain’ campaign, which highlights the company’s long-standing commitment to UK manufacturing, farming, and communities.
Nestlé has over 160 years of history in the UK, including its Dalston site in Cumbria.
The factory produces Nescafé Frothy Coffees, including cappuccinos and lattes, using fresh milk from nearby Cumbrian dairy farms through its partnership with dairy cooperative First Milk.
Dr Emma Keller, head of sustainability at Nestlé, said: “Most of us pick food up from a supermarket shelf without thinking too much about how it got there.
“But behind every product are the farmers, factory teams and local communities who make it possible.
“So much of the food we know and love are not just made in Britain but made by Britain.
“The Taste Trail is about following that farm to fork journey and meeting some of the people involved along the way.
“Rob is helping to shine a light on all the steps behind the food we eat, and just as importantly, how we make sure that any surplus food reaches those who need us most.
“We’re proud to be working with Felix, the UK’s largest food redistribution centre, to donate thousands of meals to those in need.”
For every mile he completes, Nestlé will donate more than 300 meal equivalents to Felix, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity.
This will total more than 175,000 meals by the end of the journey.
Mr Pope said: “I want to use my slowest trip yet to pay attention to where our food comes from.
“I’m excited to meet the people behind the ingredients which ends up in your morning coffee and your favourite chocolate bar.”
Members of the public can support the campaign by donating online at tinyurl.com/TheTasteTrail.
Mr Pope’s journey is being documented in a series of short videos throughout September on @nestleuki, showcasing his visits to farms, factories, and communities along the route.