Kathy Barton explores the challenge of not shopping at any supermarkets for six months as part of North Lancashire’s Gold Sustainable Food Places campaign…
I’m a Food Champion so growing and cooking, eating seasonal produce, and experimenting with recipes are challenges I relish.
My pledge for North Lancashire’s Gold Sustainable Food Places campaign was to give up shopping at supermarkets and support local suppliers during the Hungry Gap, when the winter crops are coming to an end and the spring veg is not yet ready to harvest.
Upon reflection, I revised my challenge and stopped shopping at supermarkets on January 1 to use up all my old stock as well.
I thought this challenge would be easy.
For the last few years, I have been eating seasonally from the harvest at Claver Hill Community Food Project.
I would occasionally treat myself to red or green peppers to make salsa and the odd tin of sweetcorn.
I purchase jams and chutneys from Claver Hill and have made a few of my own preserves like nasturtium capers and piccalilli.
Single Step, Carrington’s Coffee, the milk delivery, and local eggs are regular shops for us.
We added cheese, cream and butter to the milk order.
We discovered bamboo toilet paper from a friend who sells Fair Trade, and also chocolate.
The fresh olives and sun-dried tomatoes from the market were so much better than the cheap jars we were used to.
A trip out to Glasson Dock brought a special treat of lightly smoked fish.
What has been a struggle? Cleaning supplies. Powdered milk.
We create our own drinking chocolate mix with sugar, cocoa, and powdered milk.
My night time glass of wine was not quite so pleasurable.
I have my favourites but exploring the unknown hasn’t always come up trumps.
We made do with molasses and demerara for baking.
June rolled around and the summer harvest started.
I carried on with my pledge half thinking I would make it a year long event.
What really made it more of a challenge was the cost of a few particular items.
In July I entered the supermarket after a break of six months.
I prefer having the choice to purchase in paper bags not plastic.
I feel good refilling my shampoo, hand wash, and cooking oil.
I am very pleased with the new discoveries we made, especially bamboo toilet paper and fresh olives.
And I am eternally grateful for being able to harvest fresh produce from Claver Hill, knowing there are no chemicals involved.
