There was a time when ‘buy local’ sounded like something you might see printed on a tote bag at a farmers’ market. It was worthy. It was wholesome. And, frankly, it was probably something we all agreed with in principle before heading home to buy our tomatoes from somewhere considerably further away.
But the world has changed rather dramatically since those early days of the local food movement. We’ve had Covid, wars, soaring energy costs, disrupted shipping routes, rising production costs, increasingly, and weather that seems to have forgotten the British climate handbook altogether.
This summer has brought record-breaking heat and drought across much of the country, putting enormous pressure on farmers and growers. Suddenly, the idea of having a resilient food system in the UK doesn’t seem quite so old-fashioned.
The problem is, we’ve become accustomed to being able to buy almost anything, at almost any time of year, from almost anywhere in the world. But the last few years have been a useful reminder that the food on our shelves doesn’t simply appear there by magic. And that’s where our local producers come in.
When I first started working with local food and drink producers back in the early days of Warner’s, many were tiny businesses making brilliant products but with very little route to market. Some needed help with packaging or pricing strategy; others simply needed someone to take a punt on them and put their products on a shelf. Fast-forward nearly two decades and the local food scene has come a very long way. Add to that the Clarkson’s Farm effect, and the message is very much go local or go home!
And with good reason. Our Cotswold cheeses, Herefordshire cider, locally grown fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, handmade preserves, award-winning spirits, craft beers, chocolates, cakes, meats and an ever-growing list of products are not just ‘good for a local product’ – they are simply really good products.
I’ve never thought people should buy something just because it happens to have been made down the road. If it isn’t any good, then it isn’t going in my basket.
What’s exciting is that we now have so many local producers making things that genuinely compete with – and often beat – the big national and international brands.
But, there’s another thing I love about local producers: they tend to be much more interesting.
You can actually meet the person who made your chutney. You can find out which farm grew the apples in your cider. You can discover the name of the cow that produced the milk that produced the cheese you’ve just eaten with your biscuits. You can ask questions. You can hear the story. Try doing that with a tube of Pringles.
So, this November, why not make a trip to your local farmers’ market, deli, farm shop?
Or come along to the Local Suppliers Christmas Tasting Day at Warner’s in Upton-upon-Severn to meet a producer, buy a bottle, try a cheese, pick up a few Christmas gifts and enjoy the fact that some of the best food around is being made right here on our doorstep.
Now that just seems like common sense to me!.
For more details about the Warner’s Local Suppliers Christmas Tasting Day, visit:
warners-stores.co.uk
Warner’s Taste Club celebrates the best of local food and drink in the Cotswolds. Members receive food and drink news, plus money-off promotions, and invitations to exclusive events, tastings and competitions.
Join for free at warnerstasteclub.co.uk
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