Can we create a Big Society or have we gone to far down the road to a ‘I’m not working for nothing’ commercial society?

I think the food industry is a great starting place and could prove the concept. Especially with the help of BigBarn.

Interesting to see David Cameron getting stick for the Big Society, the nature of politics I suppose, the opposition have to oppose.

What is rather silly is that the Big Society has been around for hundreds of years, with people working together for the good of the community, without demanding a fee.

I think the PM is simply trying to get more people doing this and help the process. It is a shame that we have become so sceptical and closed to new ideas in our local community. It seems we are more likely to give to charity having watched the TV, than look out the window at wonder what our local community needs.

The history of the food industry is a great example of our society. After the war the industry was taken over by government and thousands were employed at the Ministry of Food organising rationing then production. Once we had enough food the industry moved to the private sector and we now see the dominance of the supermarkets with brilliant convenience, but the separation of consumer from producer allowing powerful marketing to influence what we buy, and farmers, on average, only getting 9p in the £1 spent on food in the supermarket.

If the supermarkets have their way and control all food shops, I am sure we will see the end of fresh food, replaced by shelves of salty ready meals. Go to the supermarket at Gretna Green where they have no local grocer or farm shop and you will see what I mean.

So we need a Big Food Society and is why BigBarn has been here for 10 years. To help us find local food and the brilliant producers, retailers and community food initiatives around the UK.

We want to continually point out there is a ‘lot in it’ for all. It is really exciting to see that local food is now cheaper and better than the supermarket. Local production is increasing and we can all Crop for the Shop, and a stop to the slide towards shelves of ready meals. Our team at BigBarn will help identify what is working and help spread best practice to other areas.

My only worry is that we get the same sceptical response as the PM. And is why we have become a Community Interest Company, CIC and Social Enterprise to get the Buy-in of the sceptics. Being a CIC means any profit has to be reinvested back into the business for the benefit of our producer and consumer, communities.

Or will people perceive this to mean we are not dynamic enough and will not be able to attract the best staff or investment. Your comments very welcome below, and if you would like to help BigBarn in your area, with possible financial reward, email; ant@bigbarn.co.uk

As requested here is the picture of my latest inheritance. A jar of plum jam and mince meat. Jam dated 4/9/11, mincemeat with a Gollywog.

I am dying to open the jam to see if it is fantastic, or off. And as I don’t like mincemeat should I try and sell it on ebay?

I may even add them both and pledge to give any proceeds to promote BigBarn and our Communities of local food producers and foody consumers.