Some time ago, when I shopped at the supermarket regularly, I left feeling as though I had been taken for a sucker.

I had got some good deals, and boosted my rewards points, but the meat was not good and did I really want all those things that were not on my shopping list. Especially the DVD. And how did they make such a massive profit when they spent so much advertising how cheap they are? Is it because the farmer on average only got 9p for every £1 I spent?

I then discovered that local food is cheaper, fresher, more convenient, tastier, higher quality, accountable, better for the environment, better for the local economy, better for animal welfare and reduces food miles and imports.

I also read that 80% of people know about many of these things but only 20% of us actually buy local. So I set up BigBarn to help more people find and buy local food.

That was 10 YEARS ago. And still 80% of people want to buy local food but only 20% are buying it.

Is it because they have become addicted to the supermarket? Are so easily led by advertising? Really need those rewards points? Or sincerely believe that supermarkets are cheaper and that they need everything every week?

Please tell them to STOP. Before everything is owned by the supermarkets!

Tell them local food is cheaper and more convenient. All they have to do is change the way they shop. Buy essentials, like meat, dairy, fruit and veg from a local farm shop or butcher and grocer every week and leave the supermarket, to once a month.

So the 3 easy steps for a better food industry are easy simply:

• Register for the BigBarn newsletter so we can remind you to save money by telling you about your local food outlets and special offers.
• Shop locally to encourage local food production, or even make money by cropping for your local shop.
• Comment here, we and others reading this article would love to hear what you think.

Whether you have Scottish blood, love Haggis, need a tiny excuse for a party, or like wearing a man skirt, Burns Week is here. I say week, as my friends can’t come until the weekend.

As one quarter of my body is Scottish and I love haggis, I will be carefully steaming my haggis for the big night. I will also boil some turnips, swede and carrots and roughly mash them, (to leave lumps) and mix with some butter and black pepper. Some potatoes will get the same treatment with butter, black pepper, milk and a pinch of mace, but be mashed finer and then whisked with a fork until my arm aches.

I am afraid I won’t struggle through the traditional Burn’s grace for the cutting of the haggis especially now that I have found this recording. I will put my laptop near the table, click the link and have the big knife poised over the beastie, ready for the word ‘cut’ in the 3rd verse!

To find your local haggis try your local butcher, or use the BigBarn MarketPlace.

I enjoyed a hearty breakfast in London yesterday to mark the launch of this years Farmhouse Breakfast Week. Thank you to the HGCA and well done!

Health professionals all agree, and I am sure we all notice, especially with kids, we should start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast. Breakfast really can benefit your energy levels, concentration, mood and can even help you manage your weight.

To get involved and join farmers, producers, schools, retailers, caterers and individuals in celebrating the benefits of breakfast. Hundreds of events of all sizes are expected to take place across the country. For great ideas and tips on organising your own event, click here.

Farmhouse Breakfast Week also provides a perfect opportunity to promote the wealth of wonderful breakfast produce available around the country. From butchers style bacon and sausages to speciality breads and cereals, there is a fantastic choice to benefit the start of your day.

To buy your great breakfast foods in our MarketPlace click sausages, bacon, black pudding, porridge, muesli or visit our map to visit your local producers/retailers.

A very prosperous money saving year to all.

To get your finances in order, or start the New Year saving some money for the next celebration, switch from the supermarket to buying locally. Seasonal and local is cheaper and you will not be tempted by the BOGOFs and cheap DVD movies that will be on telly very soon.

You may already have noticed our “cheaper than the supermarket” flags on many icons on the BigBarn map, meaning that the producer or retailer is cheaper, normally on the products they produce. That’s not difficult when on average only 9p in every pound spent on food in the supermarket goes to the farmer.

All you have to do is find your local supplier and ask questions about price, quality and what is in season. Change to shopping locally every week, and if you have to, visit the supermarket once a month for the tins, washing powders, etc.