Leading the way on buying local; in association with RBS
0 Comments | Journal (Newcastle, England), The, Feb 29, 2008
Byline: NICHOLAS CRAIG
AFTER the all-out onslaught by Jamie, Gordon and Hugh on the plight of battery hens, I doubt any of us are unaware of the horrors of mass-produced poultry.
The unrelenting spotlight on chickens reveals our unthinking consumption of reconstituted meat in convenience food, eggs laid by cramped, cooped-up birds and Frankenstein chickens reared in super-quick time to be full size in 34 days and a trussed-up pounds 1.99 bird on day 35.
Contrast that with our generous approach to animal charities. Demanding that farm animals are reared decently is the logical reaction of a nation of animal lovers. It is easy, however, to be seduced by cheap chickens and battery eggs during the tunnel-visioned supermarket run.
Perhaps because of the North East’s large proportion of rural land and centuries of farming history, I believe we are more aware than most of the need to support locally-produced organic meat and free-range eggs.
As supermarket shoppers we can choose to buy locally-produced eggs and meat, and there are now many farmers’ markets and farm shops, often with delicious produce served at adjoining farm restaurants, such as the admirable Brocksbushes Farm Shop temptingly close to me at Corbridge.
These, along with regional hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions insisting on locally-bred produce, are boosting the local economy and job market.
This region has never been known for its ‘me too’ attitude. It prefers to decide independently and lead the way.
Given the number of local food initiatives from our farmers and food producers, I believe we are driving forward the ‘buy good quality local produce’ message with success, ahead of other regions. The sky’s the limit where our enterprising producers are concerned. And as public demand grows, farmers and suppliers are becoming more innovative.
An organic beef farmer in north Northumberland is aiming to produce highly sought after Kobe beef from rare Wagyu cattle next year. Olefeira rapeseed oil produced in the Borders is selling well, and awards continue to accumulate at Doddingtons Dairy Ice Cream and the Robson family’s Chain Bridge Honey.
Tellingly, the two national winners of the Best Farm Shop Butchery award 2007 are located within three miles of each other in Northumberland
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