The inferno at the Hemel Hempsted fuel depot got me thinking. We know we are better off with a local food supply chain, but how many other ‘essential’ services could become local.

Fuel

Apparently it is running out. Power stations billow out hot steam and carbon dioxide and energy is lost as it passes along the country’s pylons. I am no expert but wonder how my friends survive in their house in the country separated from the mighty national grid. Technology of course; solar panels, energy saving light bulbs and insulation to make a house cosy without electricity or a gas boiler. Factories can also survive using their own generators and use the ‘by product’ of heat to warm the work place.

And how would all this work locally? First we need houses to become more fuel efficient especially new houses. More factories should use their own CHP (Combined Heat and Power) generators and export excess heat and power to local houses. And where can we get the fuel to fill our cars and these CHP units? The yellow stuff we see in local fields every spring, Oilseed Rape, with up to 9% oil it can be crushed on local farms and supplied to local comsumers. And wind, no, not ‘gastro’ wind from cooking with oilseed rape oil, the wind that blows. It can either be harnessed using turbines, either big ones to replace pylons or small ones to replace TV aerials.

Water

Apparently water is also running out. Tony Blair has stated that the next wars will be fought over water. I know he means dryer countries but even our ‘green and pleasant land’ has the occasional hose pipe ban. The problem is we loose so much down the river when it rains. The solution; every house should have its own tank to collect rain water off the roof. Many houses around the world do this and there is no reason why every new house built couldn’t have a rainwater tank installed underground.

Food

If farmers get a good price they will grow anything local people want. From Oilseed rape to red peppers. All they need is to know what local people want and get a fair price for growing the crop. This means selling direct at a local market where local people want to shop. Or hang on, what about having a section in the local ’super’ market, give the owner a commission, say 25%, and the farmers take a good margin. Everyone’s a winner.

Fuel and water may take a while but local food needs to happen now, before farmers forget how to grow vegetables. We are sure this is the way forward and will prove it with a pilot scheme in the new year. If you want to help and get a local food section in your local supermarket please register with us and tell your friends about this great campaign and to also register. It is free and we will send you special offers from your local producers.