Dear Richard,

 I am listening to NE 496 and I just have to stop you–if only I could–to beg to differ. In fact if this was a football pitch I would be issuing you a yellow, if not red card. . . .

Waitrose MAY be more expensive, but Waitrose has a dedicated campaign to put more money into the British Economy than any other supermarket in the UK. As you rightly say, your local Co-Op doles out some pretty crap produce etc. Sure it may be cheap, but where does it come from and who is on the other end, and what do they earn??

The reason you are able to tell the quality of the meat and veg you purchased at Waitrose, matey, is because it’s BRITISH! Queen, Country, Empire and all that–queue “Rule Britannia. . . .”

This would be something you would do well to look into–perhaps for the Vobes show–the differences in where supermarkets source ingredients. I know, as you say, it is hard to cough up the readies to pay for expensive ingredients. But you must–in fact, all people must soon be prepared to pay more for food, it is the way of things. And since you’re opening up your wallet a bit wider, wouldn’t it be better to keep the money in the local economy and get it more directly to the Farmer, than to give it to some Globalist Corporation who isn’t going to put 10p per Quid to the farmers?

Have a look here: http://downshiftingpath.blogspot.com/2007/10/farmers-endangered-species.html

And here: http://downshiftingpath.blogspot.com/2007/10/rooting-for-farmers.html

Please read this: http://www.countryliving.co.uk/index.php/cat/17318

Have a gander at this:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=rKwLP6JoOVY

And then think what you can do to help. British Farming, and farmers–indeed all farmers–are being shat upon by industry, the government and an ignorant public. No farms==no food. Sure we can’t all trolley along Waitrose in our wellies, tweeds and load up the Rover, but we can each do our part. So buy meat from local farms, and some curly kale once and a while, spend more for quality, but eat less of it. In your position you are well placed to head out, speak with Waitrose staff, farmers and report to the world what you find. Promote Worthing and West Sussex foods–you already have begun and are doing a great job with your show and the food fairs, the brewery tour, etc.

Please understand I say this in all seriousness, but also in absolute friendship and understanding of you impecuniousness. I am also poor. But try to do my bit by shopping wisely. And cooking carefully.

I have been sat in my kitchen these past few days with Farmer Phil and Heather Gorringe having a grand old chin wag and trying to solve the ills of the world. But the one thing we have settled on and are committed to is a joint effort through social media and “podcasting”/internet audio–you aren’t the only one questioning the name–to promote local foods and support farmers in any means possible. Will you help join our efforts? And if you ever want to beetle up to the Midlands and do a thing I am sure Phil and Hev would welcome you with open arms to Lower Blakemere Farm and Wiggly Wigglers. We have been sat here trying to decide similar things as you in terms of our mutual shows and it has been some fertile times. The sad thing is that you and I and they and I are 6000 miles away–but with the internet we can all work together.

You can hear the response by downloading the archived Vobes Show, episode #833.

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