Category Archives: food matters

Supermarkets and the Prevention, Distortion and Restriction of Competition

By Nick Saltmarsh | Published: October 31, 2007

The Competition Commission’s provisional findings include real criticism of supermarket practices with suggested remedies that might just tackle some of the problems. But suggested changes to the planning system would be nothing less than a bonanza for the larger retailers and spell disaster for town centres and the small independent operators.

Also posted in food in the shops | Tagged food in the shops, food in the shops, number, supermarkets | 3 Comments

Harvesting rapeseed: black seeds for golden oil

By Nick Saltmarsh | Published: August 3, 2007

Early August and the harvest of the winter sown oilseed rape (Brassica napus, its edible varieties also known as canola) is well underway in the UK. Rape is combine harvested to yield its tiny black seeds, destined to be crushed to produce oil for food, industrial uses and, increasingly, biofuels. A growing number of farmers are cold pressing the seeds themselves to produce extra-virgin rapeseed oil.

Also posted in food from the farm | Tagged crops, defra, environment, number, oil, rapeseed, Suffolk | Leave a comment

Fairness for farm workers too

By Nick Saltmarsh | Published: March 24, 2007

Fair Trade for British Farmers is a new campaign to raise awareness of the problems faced by British farmers and how choosing fairly traded and priced British food can help. Country Living magazine and the Farmers Guardian are leading the campaign, with the support of Waitrose.
Our daily shopping choices shape farming and the food system, [...]

Posted in food matters | Tagged British, defra, fairtrade, food from the farm, labour, landscape | Leave a comment

Why does it matter where our food is from?

By Nick Saltmarsh | Published: March 20, 2007

Each of us has to eat every day to provide the energy for our daily lives and to maintain our health and the substance of our bodies. But eating is more than a mere biological necessity, but something worth living for.