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.
I love the theory of this but the availability is something i struggle with. Living in the largest town in the Country, in the largest County in the Country but working in a different town to where i live causes me problems in actually being able to get to markets (suitable for a veggie) which are held on a Thursday. I love the idea, but struggle with the practicality. I grow my own – i’ve just clicked on the ‘cropping for your local shop’ link but got no where. I’ve looked at the map for my local area with the £ symbol but clicking provided no further information.
It would be really great to be able to actual think about these things and to then be able to action them also.
thanks
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