British produce

[JanieB]

I was reading the article about Raymond Blanc in Jan's GYO and it reminded me of when a made an official complaint in a supermarket a few years ago. I was married to a farmer and have always been a country girl so feel that we should support our country's producers.

The supermarket concerned was originally set up by a cooperative of UK farmers to distribute and sell their produce so I was angry that at the cheese counter they had Canadian, New Zealand, Australian et al "cheddars" but none from Somerset or anywhere else in this country. I pointed out that cheddars from other countries were cheddar-type cheeses and they had a bl00dy cheek selling that stuff so close to where the real stuff comes from.

In the same complaint I also pointed out that the apples (and some other fruit and veg) were all from outside the UK when it was September and we had fantastic produce of our own to choose from. There was no alternative choice of British produce.

They are getting better but still tend to stock mostly stuff from other countries.

[Kirk]

Unfortunately I do not think Chedder is named after the location, it is a way of producing cheese. The method being called "Cheddering" and hence it is a Cheddered cheese. Not a cheese from Chedder. Although the method and location may or may not have a link. However not local.

As to the rest at a local market selling "local" produce there is always Limes, Oranges, Pineapples, Dates, Pomegranets etc. The pineapples generally have "Costa Rica" labels on them. So not exactly difficult to work out not in the least local.

Last weekend wandered through a monthly local produce market, the Italian and French cheeses were excellent, the sausages looked more like poor supermarket rejects, one thing for sure I would not consider them. I would also go as far as saying I suspect they were never even made by the "Local producer". They look suspiciously like (100% match) ones sold by a bulk supplier on the Saturday market.

I get the idea that the assumption is - put the wording "Local" on and they will get sold at a higher price.

I would not actually trust anywhere that is selling anything concerning the term local or not. It is just too easy not be what it is reported as.

[bearded bloke]

Three points Jeanie ...

1) regarding the cheese, what Kirk said above

2) if you really want to get local produce, shop at farmers markets NOT supermarkets.

3) if you are not happy with the service provided by any retailer vote with your wallet & buy elsewhere

[JanieB]

It's Janie not Jeanie.

Real cheddar cheese comes from somewhere near Cheddar since the 12th century. Although the others are made using the same method they do not come from Cheddar Gorge.

I agree about the farmers markets, but this was in the days when I had a full time job and our local farmers market was (and still is) on a Tuesday morning.

It doesn't alter the fact that the shop was importing produce from the other side of the world when our own produce was being ignored.

Right, I'm off to the GR for a large sauvignon (or gooseberry wine, if that's all there is).

[muddled]

I think that when you see citrus fruits and dates and mangos of course you don't expect them to be British grown.
However, with apples in September for example, I would expect the vast majority offered to be British and if they are not, I too complain.

Obviously, having an allotment means I am unlikely to be buying green beans in season but my mum pointed out to me that her local waitrose labelled them with the farm name and displayed the amount of miles from the store that farm was located.

I do believe that a large proportion of shoppers would respond well to this type of labelling and buy British and local when given the option. I also believe that supermarkets can and should do more to support British farmers.
I'm so tired of hearing that 'customers demand' as if we had a say . What they mean is 'shareholders want'... shareholders want one more penny on the each of the millions of pounds they make on green beans so we're flying them in from Kenya where there's no such thing as minimum wage.

I'll get orf me soapbox now

[veggiechicken]

You'd be hard pressed to buy some Caerphilly cheese that had been made in Caerphilly, or even locally.
Buy at Farmer's Markets, not from the big boys, better still at the farm gate

[JanieB]

Ooh. 3 of us posted at the same time.

I don't expect to buy British grown bananas, dates etc, and I also value the choice of foreign apples, cheese etc. What I do object to is not having the choice of British produce available especially when it's in season.

[muddled]

There aren't any farm gates near me

I do try to grow much of what I need and I try to be selective in what and where I buy. But I believe that supermarkets have a responsibility too. There is NO local butcher here, no Greengrocer or baker. We have small supermarket/convenience stores within walking distance and supermarkets within bus ride distance.

Now that supermarkets have such an enormous market share (they have seats in COBRA for goodness sake) I feel that with such great power comes responsibility. It is no longer appropriate for them to be governed only by the mighty £.

[JanieB]

You're in danger of me going off on the tangent of new builds, no gardens and lack of allotments here.

[Greenleaves]

I make a point of buying local where I can, for instance I would never dream of buying meat in a supermarket, but that choice is made easier as I live in a rural area and we still have plenty of butchers. As regards fruit and veg in supermarkets its more about what the consumer has become accustomed to. So few people care or consider where the produce originates, so whilst it is in demand nothing will change imo.

[Alison]

Even if you're buying supposedly local fruit and veggies in the supermarket there is no guarantee that it hasn't traveled considerable distances as much of it is packaged in central locations.

[Alison]

Unfortunately I do not think Chedder is named after the location, it is a way of producing cheese. The method being called "Cheddering" and hence it is a Cheddered cheese. Not a cheese from Chedder. Although the method and location may or may not have a link. However not local.

My understanding has always been that Cheddar cheese does indeed originate from the Cheddar area but can now come from anywhere although there are specific types that are tied into certain areas.

[bearded bloke]

Two questions .....

1) how long ago did you make the official complaint

2) what if any changes has the supermarket in question instigated as a response

[JanieB]

I make a point of buying local where I can, for instance I would never dream of buying meat in a supermarket, but that choice is made easier as I live in a rural area and we still have plenty of butchers.

Two points there. I ordered a goose from my local butcher for Christmas and his supplier let him down as he got a better price from the supermarkets. Sainsburies were making a big thing at the time of supplying geese to the customers demands. When I tried to order through them (in a rural branch) the butcher there said that they were all designated for the cities and large towns and they only got what was left over.

At the same time I was looking for goose fat. He said he'd show me where it was. I already knew but went along with it. On our way to the fat shelf he admitted that he would never buy meat from a supermarket. When we got to the shelf there was no goose fat nor was there an empty space for it. He told me that that particular fat was part of the butchery stock and he had no idea that it was out of stock.

As far as I have learnt over the last twenty or so years, where country people once had the priority over fresh meat and veg, this no longer applies and unless we know the right people or grow our own we are at the wrong end of the very long pole.

[JanieB]

Two questions .....

1) how long ago did you make the official complaint

About 15 years ago. The supermarket at the time was still partly Brit owned. It's now totally American but actually does make an attempt to buy British.

2) what if any changes has the supermarket in question instigated as a response

Answer as at 1)