In Canterbury we have a wealth of independently owned businesses offering a diverse range of products and services. It is important that we support these businesses wherever possible to maintain a healthy local economy.
I understand that price is important and is often the driving factor when we make our decisions on where to purchase items but service should not be over looked. Yes you may pay a little bit more if you buy your meat from the local butcher but he will be able to prepare a cut of meat to exact requirements and provide traceability on the products he sells.
If you wish to buy as much locally as possible there is the issue of time to consider, going to each shop to buy local produce can be time consuming. Imagine if you go to the local bakers to buy your bread, butchers for meat and fishmonger for fish and seafood it could take up most of your precious Saturday morning.
However, I recently discovered a viable alternative to trudging around your local shops and you can still do the "keep it local" thing. Food For Kent has brought together the best food producers from across Kent so that you can shop amongst them all on one website and have one convenient delivery.
Visit www.foodforkent.co.uk to see the full range of products. I have done so and was impressed with the choice available. Yes, you do pay a little more than if you bought a product from the average supermarket, but you can rest assured that the products will be sourced from local growers and farmers, therefore helping our local economy.
I am eagerly awaiting my first delivery and will report back shortly on my experience.
