Environment
Better by miles - why food miles matter – Even bigger numbers of people are looking to ‘do their bit’ for the environment
WITH all climate changes issues high on everyone's domestic and international agendas, more people are looking for more ways to help the environment and "do their bit". From plastic bags to recycling and car shares, everything counts. And food is no exception, as one of the most vital parts of our lives. Smallholder talks to rural company Countrywide to find out how they are supporting customers this way and what action they are taking themselves.
Are Countrywide's rural customers putting more focus on food miles now? Yes, we are certainly finding so. With so much in the press and the emphasis in all our minds on environmental issues, we are regularly getting asked for advice by customers. Customers' interest in the subject is now greater, for example in respect of growing their own fruit and vegetables and purchasing local produce.
How easy is it to improve your food miles? As a company, we are following DEFRA's advice and pointing customers towards their website for more information in respect of this. However, in common sense terms, customers may like to think about how far they are driving to shop. Keep it local is what we say!
It goes without saying that transporting food large distances uses a lot of fuel, whether it travels by lorry or plane. That means more carbon dioxide emissions and more global warming, as well as the spiralling fuel costs adding to the overall price of the food.
We are all striving to improve our carbon footprint and improve our food miles, as well as other environmental improvements. How is Countrywide doing its bit?
As an organisation, we are working hard to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This includes everything from all the light bulbs used in our Country stores and offices, to a broader corporate sustainability strategy which encompasses the entire Countrywide group. Of interest to smallholders in particular is the fact that we offer renewable energy products and services and that we have developed our own local produce range available in stores to encourage everyone to think hard about where and how they get their energy and food.
We are not just about running a business. Indeed, our business is managed and staffed by people who, just like our customers, live in the rural community. We understand what is important in the rural community and endeavour to act in ways which are environmentally appropriate. This may mean advising customers on growing their own fruit and vegetables, or running a wood pellet boiler to heat their home, farm or business, or offering locally developed product choices.
Why is it important for Countrywide to offer its own local flavour ranges? Shopping locally for produce that is grown locally is a first starting point for us all when looking at food miles - food and environmental experts tell us it is one of the best means of ensuring that the food we eat is doing the least damage environmentally possible.
Countrywide believes strongly in supporting the rural community of which it is part, and this, in combination with the environmental aspects meant that creating our own locally sourced produce range was a necessity. Around the UK there is a wealth of local producers, offering quality home-grown foodstuffs which are not only tasty, but which will help satisfy environmental issues by virtue of their locality to you. From preserves and cordials to cheeses and wines, the choice from local producers is quite literally a taste sensation, as we have discovered working closely with Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) and Taste of the West.
What is your advice for smallholders in relation to food miles? Countrywide advises its customers in several ways on this subject. We point them towards national sources of information such as DEFRA to find out more. We also try to lead by example by acting as responsibly as we can within our business, and like everyone, we continue to look for more and more ways to be greener. For smallholders, one of the most practical solutions to the food miles debate is right there in front of you, with the huge surge in popularity for growing your own. All manner of fruit, vegetables and herbs can be grown at home and this type of growing is now overtaking flower planting as the most popular choice with home growers across the UK. Our staff are getting asked many questions on this subject by customers keen to get involved. As smallholders know, this type of growing will not only save on food miles, but saves on food bills, too, as well as providing a healthy, fun and green solution that has got to be "miles better".
And the advice to "keep it local" is good, too. We can all help in sustainably developing the rural community by purchasing locally grown produce and supplies. This can only be good for the local economy as well for as the environment.
Countrywide is the leading UK business in the supply of products and advice to the rural community, including farmers, equestrian businesses, smallholders, horse owners and market town residents. Across the three areas of its business, agriculture, energy and retail, Countrywide has a turnover of over £160 million, 11,000 farmer shareholders and 40,000 customers. For further information visit www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk
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