Asda/T***O etc

[Millymollymandy]

Ok, i started this thread feeling quite good about my accomplishmens.


I'm not so sure anymore!!

Sorry! I was just so surprised I had to say something!

[ina]

There is obviously a demand for it, otherwise they wouldn't sell it.

Demand can be created by the right advertising... Were people unhappy when they couldn't buy strawberries all year round? I think they were, in fact, happier when they had something to look forward to. But as soon as the shops offer it, and make a point of it (WE sell this all year round - the others don't), folk think they need to buy it... And then, of course, all the other shops have to offer the same. And so on.

I think this is called economical development.

[red]

its not a clear cut situation. You can buy local and discover they are using lots of energy keeping it in cool rooms.

On the news this lunchtime there was a feature about food miles vs helping poorer countries... in this case cherries. soil assn man said we should buy local and only otherwise for a very special treat.. but Chilean farmer pointed out whole local economy depended on exporting fruit. oh, and I noticed that the fruit is shipped in, not flown in.. which makes a huge difference.

I'm not sure its any more defensible to buy bananas and coffee than cherries.. and very few of us are only eating local and seasonal. I just think we should eat more of it.. know what is seasonal, so you can make an informed choice.
If I had come across a load of marked down cheap cherries destined for landfill if I did not purchase them, then now I would be admiring my jars of cherry jam and cherry liqueur!

[thefriarandme]

Who was it complaining about the big stores a while back<#

Say what you will, when they mark all their organic fruit down to 10P per pack, you can't complain. I just finished preserving 5 1 litre jars of cherries, and the same of peaches. Plus 4 jars of peach chutney, and 4 jars of fig chutney, plus 5 jars of mango chutney, plus 7 jars of mango jam.

All for a fiver

I am absolutely made up for you.

I'd have been over the moon if I'd come by such bargains and produced so much with/from them.

[mrsflibble]

I agree with thefriarandme, just think about the compliments you'll get... you have a right to be smug!

[Chickenlady]

If you stop good food going to waste and get a bargain too, not many of us would argue that you are wrong.

I do agree though that there is far too much tasteless airfreighted produce for sale in the UK. I try to avoid it, but admit to a weakness for bananas and tea. With global warming we might be able to grow them both here soon...

If we all keep asking our food suppliers to buy local then they will. And if we stop buying the out of season stuff from the other side of the globe they will stop stocking it. It really is that simple.

If you don't already, I would urge everybody to find a good farm shop and use it. The one I use is no dearer than Sainsburys for fruit and veg (although it is for meat - fabulous quality, though). Because they only stock what they and other local farmers can produce, at the moment they only have apples as far as fruit goes. They had pears too up until a few weeks ago. But they do have cauliflowers, brocolli, spuds, onions, squashes, carrots, parsnips and cabbages, which just about covers my requirements for veg. Eggs too. And I got my Christmas tree from them!

You have to watch some of the farm shops though. One near us stocks just as many imported items as the supermarkets.

Jane

[ina]

I try to avoid it, but admit to a weakness for bananas and tea.

Neither of which is airfreighted - so I think we don't have to feel too bad about it! Couldn't do without my coffee...

[Chickenlady]

I am not sure that shipping is much better really, especially if the containers are refrigerated in any way. I don't suppose that applies to tea or coffee, although they might keep bananas a bit cool.

There are so many things to feel guilty about! I figure that I am doing the best I can at the moment and taking baby steps to do better, so what's the point of feeling guilty!

Hmm. I have just thought about a few other things that I like that we don't produce here. Chocolate, peanuts, oranges...cotton clothing...aarrrgh!

[mrsflibble]

tea is dried, it doesnt require refridgeration.