Visit a farmers market

This year, Tesco announced profits of over £2 billion. Other supermarkets have posted declines in profits over the last year, but that's not to say that they're still making a huge amount of money.

In the drive to reduce costs and increase profits, the amount of money these supermarkets are willing to pay the producers is declining all the time.

However, you can buy directly from local producers, cutting out the middle man. All over Britain, usually once a month, Farmers Markets take place offering locally grown food and produce. The National Association of Farmers Markets offers a certification scheme which ensures that what the markets offer is locally produced. They also ensure that:

The principal producer or a representative directly involved in the production process must attend the stall.

This gives you the chance to ask the producers questions about the food that you wouldn't be able to ask in supermarkets. Visit their site to see a list of farmers markets in your local area. A lot of farmers markets have their own website if you want further information, for example Orton Farmers Market in Cumbria was the first one to be NAFM certified and is National Farmers Market of the Year 2005.

And farmers markets are not just for country bumpkins. The discerning Londoner can also buy produce from farmers markets all over the City.

Much of the produce available is organic too, so find out where your local market is today and make a date in your diary to visit the next one.

caldini