Today and yesterday involved two supermarket trips for various bits and bobs. So I thought I’d keep an eye on food miles and whatnot. Did pretty well with the fruit and veg, managed to get only UK stuff, although I had my eye on some dates and thought if I bought organic, I might just get away with it, but as organic dates are three times more expensive than non organic, I sacrificed them. Was also faced with a choice of organic feta from Greece, or non organic feta (well, feta style) from France. Ended up going with the French one due to being 50p cheaper. But I am surprised at how vigilant I have to be. I had to pick up some stuff for Mum today so picked up organic onions, in a string bag, not plastic, and was really surprised when I got home to find that they were grown in Holland! It didn’t even occur to me that they might not be from this country. But this seems to be the theme of the week for me. I recently found out I have a problem with lactose so I’ve been experimenting with goats and sheeps cheeses and found some lovely goats cheese in the ‘local produce’ shop. The packaging was extremely misleading and it wasn’t until I really looked at the small print I found that although the cheese was packed in Kent, it was actually made in Yorkshire (it would have been more ‘local’ to buy from France). And the pesto they stocked……made in Italy. That doesn’t count as local in my book.
I think we are starting to discover that it will be difficult to make the UK self sufficient in food if necessary. It would be back to digging for victory if we wanted to feed ourselves. When looking at the local farmers market, I was struck by how little farm produce is there, and how much of the market is now dedicated to arts and crafts (this is not due to the foot and mouth crisis as there has never been a meat vendor there). It would be difficult for me to do a weeks food shopping there. Perhaps they are having problems finding producers of food in the local area? I’m certainly confused and even less trusting now of ‘local’ labelling.
I guess the only satisfying solution is to grow/raise your own food, so you can keep it to your standards, and so you know exactly what you are putting in your mouth. In the meantime, the only thing to do is compromise and try to work out what is the best option when faced with a choice; organic, local, fairtrade or cheapest?
At any rate, I made a concession. I bought a basil plant so I can make my own pesto.
Whilst googling for links to add to this post, I stumbled across www.producedinkent.co.uk which may be a big help in tracking down true locally produced goods.
