Birmingham shoppers back call for more locally-produced food

Jun 23 2009 by Jasbir Authi, Birmingham Mail

STUNNING strudels from Austria, brilliant baklavas from Iran and terrific British food set the taste buds tingling at the first Birmingham International Food Fair.

But a survey suggested that demand is booming for locally produced food, with consumers wanting to see more home-grown produce on supermarket shelves and an extension of popular farmers’ markets.

Shoppers in Birmingham appeared to confirm the survey findings.

Ella Kyte, aged 59, a retired catering manager from Sutton Coldfield, said: “Local food tastes better because it hasn’t travelled all over the world.

“I buy locally grown food wherever I can because I don’t have a car. I also grow a lot of food.

“It’s nicer and I know that it doesn’t have a lot of chemicals.”

Pat Maltby, a 65-year-old retired administrator from Erdington, said: “I pick the cheapest, I’m not really that bothered where it comes from.

“I’m not really fussed about farmers’ market as they are expensive. I like shopping at Asda because it’s affordable.”

Retired shop assistant Kathleen Tibbins, aged 70, from Sutton Coldfield, said: “I like to keep things as local as I can.

“I’m a carer for my husband so I don’t go out a lot. Local food tastes better because it hasn’t travelled so far.

“It is supposed to be pricier but I don’t mid paying that bit extra of it’s good.”

Zahra Banoeian, a coffee shop worker, aged 38, from Quinton, said: “I buy my food locally. I sometimes go to supermarkets or an organic shop.

“I’m not fussy. It’s just what is convenient. If the food is good, I will pay a bit more.”

Mervalyn Anderson, a part-time cleaner, aged 44, from Handsworth, said: “I buy from supermarkets. If I like it, I will buy it. I don’t really think about where it comes from.

“I’m more motivated by price and not really bothered where it comes from as long as it’s good.”

Wilma Richards, aged 76, a retired district nurse from Sheldon, said: “I don’t really go out of my way to buy local.

“I will see where I am and then just buy, for example, apples and pears and cucumbers.

“I like organic food because it tastes better, but it doesn’t last as long.”