The article by Lock et al (1) and the accompanying leader by Lobstein
(2) both call for transparency in the international trading of food. They
look to global solutions for the daunting task of feeding the world’s
exponentially increasing population at a time of climatic uncertainty.
However, just as the Western World surely has a moral responsibility
to respond to global warming, we must also look to initiatives closer to
home to address the impending food crisis.
If we are to have a sustainable food source in the future,
government, including local government, must act now to increase the
proportion of domestically produced food, currently only 60%(3), whilst
reducing our dependence on oil.
The recent report by the Community and Local Government Select
Committee(4) makes clear just how important is the role of the traditional
local market in the UK. Bigger, better, and more local markets will offer
a genuine alternative to the powerful supermarkets where we currently buy
nearly 90% of our food(3), and who are principal purveyors of processed
food, false economy, food waste and who depend on unsustainable
distribution methods.
To support and develop traditional markets in our towns and cities
will be to back domestic farming, reduce food miles and dependence on oil
based fertilisers and promote the production of vegetable protein, all
steps towards a more secure and healthier food supply.
1. Lock K, Stuckler D, Charlesworth K, Mckee M Potential causes and
health effects of rising global food prices. BMJ 2009;339:b2403 (1 Aug.)
2. Lobstein T Eating healthily and rising food prices. BMJ 2009;
339: b2527
(1 Aug.)
Rapid Response:
Traditional Local Markets
Sir,
The article by Lock et al (1) and the accompanying leader by Lobstein
(2) both call for transparency in the international trading of food. They
look to global solutions for the daunting task of feeding the world’s
exponentially increasing population at a time of climatic uncertainty.
However, just as the Western World surely has a moral responsibility
to respond to global warming, we must also look to initiatives closer to
home to address the impending food crisis.
If we are to have a sustainable food source in the future,
government, including local government, must act now to increase the
proportion of domestically produced food, currently only 60%(3), whilst
reducing our dependence on oil.
The recent report by the Community and Local Government Select
Committee(4) makes clear just how important is the role of the traditional
local market in the UK. Bigger, better, and more local markets will offer
a genuine alternative to the powerful supermarkets where we currently buy
nearly 90% of our food(3), and who are principal purveyors of processed
food, false economy, food waste and who depend on unsustainable
distribution methods.
To support and develop traditional markets in our towns and cities
will be to back domestic farming, reduce food miles and dependence on oil
based fertilisers and promote the production of vegetable protein, all
steps towards a more secure and healthier food supply.
1. Lock K, Stuckler D, Charlesworth K, Mckee M Potential causes and
health effects of rising global food prices. BMJ 2009;339:b2403 (1 Aug.)
2. Lobstein T Eating healthily and rising food prices. BMJ 2009;
339: b2527
(1 Aug.)
3. The Times 11/08/09 p17
4. Communities and Local Government Committee. Market Failure? : Can
the traditional market survive?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmcomloc/308/...
July 2009
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests