The forced closure of pubs and restaurants was a blow but boosted people ’ s appetite for high-quality produce and artisan products in a bid to recreate the dining out experience . Many producers lost their big trade orders but saw an opportunity to adapt their business model and sell directly to individuals , even offering doorstep delivery . The growers offered veggie boxes , milk delivery services soared , brewers and wine producers delivered home-tasting kits .
It was a relief to see some of the social distancing rules easing enough over summer to encourage the ‘ staycationers ’ back to Kent . Many took advantage of the Government ’ s Eat Out to Help Out scheme , interspersing their country walks and beach visits with a local craft beer or a meal in one the county ’ s many independent restaurants .
At first glance , the people of Kent seem converted to buying local – and with good reason : our local produce is incredible . It ’ s fresh , full of nutrients , and grown and reared close to home on healthy nutrientrich Kent soil , making it full of flavour and health benefits . Now we have to convince you to keep supporting local food and drink .
Everyone likes having a local shop or pub around the corner , right ? But if we don ’ t make a commitment to buying regularly from these businesses then we will lose them , especially with economic tough times lying ahead . You don ’ t have to spend a lot , but you do have to use them .
It ’ s not just about supporting businesses , it is about preserving jobs too . Over 50,000 people are employed in the South East of England in agricultural roles alone . They are responsible for everything our farms offer : our bread , our meat , our dairy , our fruit , and our vegetables . Without them our menus will look very dull – and our countryside , too !
Because local food is inextricably linked to the surrounding countryside . Take the farmers out of Kent and those beautiful orchards you admire on your walks will disappear , as well as the fields of golden wheat and barley , and our beautiful pasture lands will instead be filled with developments . The surprising rurality of our county , so close to London , attracts visitors , commuters , businesses and investors : all good news for our rural economy .
Which brings me to how buying local shapes our future . Lockdown , unexpectedly , made us humans realise what impact we are having on the climate . Several months of reduced movement cleared our skies and encouraged our wildlife , whilst interrupted supermarket supply chains made us realise the enormity of the miles our food travels to arrive with us . It presented us with a stark reminder that we need to change certain habits before it is too late , and it showed us that it is within our collective power to drive that change .
One of the positives to come out of lockdown was public spirit and a renewed sense of community , a real desire to change our future for the better . We can all make a change , and we have a social responsibility to do so .
Perhaps it ’ s unrealistic to expect families to replace every supermarket shop with a local shopping
experience , but could you find a middle way ? Consider swapping the national beer brand for a local brand ; eat one local , seasonal vegetable every week ; choose a Kentish wine over a French one ; use the local shop instead of the supermarket once a month ; or order a Kent cider or ale at the bar .
Small changes , collectively , have an enormous effect both on the environment and our rural communities .
Shopping locally is not necessarily more expensive – this is a myth that needs to be busted ! UK households typically throw away around 30 % of the food they purchase at supermarkets , which are designed to make you spend more than you intended . And , taking into account fair pay , small-scale production and animal welfare , what would you say the local food and drink you buy is worth ? Maybe we have just grown too used to buying low-quality food that has been mass produced using cheap labour with a price to match .
By buying local , you do not just spend money , you are effectively investing money in an economy that is more environmentally and socially sustainable . Shopping local means less money spent on petrol and on supermarket ‘ bargains ’. Shopping locally gives you direct contact with producers who take pride in their product and care if you are a happy customer .
Shopping locally is also about feeding our families much better-quality food . There ’ s no doubt that the need to reconsider our diets and where our food comes from has been brought into sharp focus by Covid19 – our health is at stake . So put your wellies on , get your bicycle out of the shed and walk or cycle to your local shop , instead of driving to a large retailer 20 miles down the road !
Change starts at home and the small choices really do make a difference .
If every household in Kent committed to one or two small changes a month - whether it ’ s getting your milk delivered from a local dairy , having a weekly veg box , deciding to only buy meat from your butcher , or occasionally filling your fridge from the farm shop - the effect would be enormous . Let ’ s get started today !
To find local food and drink in your area , please visit : helpkentbuylocal . com , and sign up to our Good News bulletin packed with information about the businesses near you .
For more information about Produced in Kent , visit : producedinkent . co . uk
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