Is is local?

Following on from yesterday's food theme (see the original blog here), an article in the Saturday Guardian states that Waitrose is pushing for more local food to appear in some of its branches.

On the surface this cannot be anything but a good thing. The produce has fewer food miles, a safe and known source and supports the local economy. There's also a focus on fresh food; around half the products in store will be so.

But according to the article critics are worried that it will destroy small businesses and independent food retailers like Barry Hamilton.

More unique than the deli-style produce in Waitrose is Barry Hamilton: his small greengrocer's nearby is the only one left in St Neots [the town that is focused on in the article]. He started out with his father 40 years ago and has survived by selling flowers, pet food and plants alongside the fruit and veg.

"You won't get this in Waitrose," he said, pointing to the asparagus. "It was picked this morning." It cost £1.95 a bunch. In Waitrose it costs £2.49.

Small businesses are important to local communities - they provide a focus and an alternative to big supermarkets that offer generic food at cut prices, playing havoc with the income and welfare of our farmers. But at least Waitrose is trying to focus on its locale, instead of forcing the area around it to capitulate to its will.

And I couldn't help but think of Julie Birchill's recent article about the convenience of supermarkets. Its true that the rise of these big food chains may give us less choice in our lives, but they also give us more time. The reason people don't shop at independent food retailers along the high street is because it take too long.

So if Waitrose is giving us a chance to shop in one place, whilst giving us the benefits of a selection of local produce, I for one am in favour.

See the original post at ameliabutterly.blogspot.com