Doing the food pledge…. I was initially worried that I would struggle to find the time to do this but in the end it didn’t take too much time at all.  It made me really conscious of my shopping behaviour – how ‘samey’ my diet can be, how difficult it is to buy local with food preferences and limitations such as vegetarianism (all the soya based products) and wheat intolerance (who knows what is in half of those products). I also realised during one week when I was ill and reliant on the corner shop that it is particularly hard for anyone with health or mobility issues as you have to search out local produce.  Overall it raised ethical conflicts such as animal welfare verses local which I found difficult.  A really fascinating experience – I recommend it.”