Buying from the producer

The next freshest thing to growing your own food is to buy from another producer. Many farms now give the public an option to buy directly from them. They might have processed the food for you already, like olives, olive oil or goat products. Or you could go and pick certain produce, like strawberries or cherries. This is a great option if you travel past a producer on your regular commute or happen to go there on a weekend or holiday. A friend of mine, for example, stocks up at Soil for Life whenever she is in the area.

Dargle Local Living in the Midlands has a great network where you can buy vegetables, meats, trout, honey, nuts, milk and cheese, eggs and herbs, bakes & breads, jam and preserves directly from the producer

For most of our everyday food requirements this is, however, not practical, particularly cost-effective or environmentally friendly, if you take into account the time and petrol involved. Enter the recent revival of farmers’ markets.

Farmers’ markets

Instead of you trekking to the producers, the producers trek to a place near you and offer their wares. Farmers’ markets are starting up all over the country. This is a fantastic way to shop for some basics as well as the more ‘deli’ food offerings as many of the markets try to cover the ‘good life’ range. It does not have to be a hurried trip after breakfast to buy some food for lunch either. Chances are the suppliers will encourage you to wind your way slowly through the stalls with something tasty to drink in your hand and sample some of the available bread, cheeses, olives and olive oil, charcuterie items (handmade sausages and hams), jams, spreads, chutneys and honeys. Usually there are fresh juices, local beers and ciders available as well as a wine or bubbly. At the deli type markets you are likely to find more processed, ready-to-eat snacks.

The more traditional farmers’ markets offer mainly fresh produce for your home-cooking needs. Details of happening markets are listed in ‘Markets’ here and you can contact the organisers for more information.

Buying directly from the producer, either from the farm or at a farmers’ market has advantages beyond the goods being fresh, flavoursome and low on food miles. By buying from the producers your food has got a story: you can ask questions about the products, how and where they were made or grown. You find out what’s in season and when and for how long a certain item will be available. By buying from the source, you cut out the retail middlemen who get to decide the profit margin and what specifications a product must comply with. Farmers’ markets are good for competition and they result in less food wastage because the food didn’t have to travel a long way and you can choose to buy slightly blemished or very ripe produce, often at a discount. Because farmers can sell small quantities of a product, they can offer more variety as well as organically and bio-dynamically grown foods. The money you spend stays in the community and besides the financial aspects, buying local also (re)builds communities: Farmers markets can promote regionally unique products and you get to know the people who have put their passion into offering these foods. They are generally happy to share their favourite recipes and you will meet other people from your community shopping at the stalls.