Local food is cheaper, fresher and safer

Cheaper because you are cutting out the packers, distributors, etc. Fresher because it is local and just picked. Safer because you can question a local person whose reputation is at stake.

Cheaper

The supermarket's huge buying power does mean they can buy cheap, but the margins taken through the supply mean that farmers only get 9p in every £1 spent on food in a supermarket. The maths is simple - if the producer can sell direct for even 50p he will be getting five times as much and be giving the stretched consumer a 50% discount on supermarket prices.

Ever thought about who pays for those massive new shops in the UK, Poland and the US, and those flashy adverts on telly? The customer?

Ever thought how supermarkets can make such huge profits when there are so many brilliant special offers? Different margins on different products?

Fresher

To get the best fruit and veg buy fresh. Many supermarket products are picked unripe to survive the supply chain and get maximum shelf life. Some decompose and spoil quickly and despite looking OK will have lost much of their flavour and nutritious value.

Safer

You are unlikely to find cheap pork or chicken direct from local producers. Most comes from abroad, or from factory farms too embarrassed by the way they treat their animals to sell direct. Buying direct allows you to ask questions and get the story of the food you buy. A local producer is not going to lie to you when their reputation is at stake.

So type your post code or town name in the box below and start talking to your local producers.