Food for thought

Supermarkets and farm shops

IF THE public won’t heed political leaders, perhaps they will respect those supermarkets taking measures to stop panic buying and prioritise deliveries to OAPs.

Moves being led by Yorkshire-based Morrisons, which is taking on 3,500 staff to cope. Its stance is epitomised by chief executive David Potts who stressed that the supply chain can withstand the challenge if shoppers are sensible. He stressed: “We need to shop responsibly and look after each other... we will play our full role in feeding the nation during this important period.”

Furthermore this newspaper, for one, hopes that all supermarkets will embrace the example being set by Sainsbury’s, and others, which is limiting access for the first hour of trading today to the elderly and vulnerable.

But it is also important that people still support, wherever possible, those farm shops and independent traders who pride themselves on serving the very best food and fare that has been sourced from Yorkshire farmers and growers.

Unlike the supermarkets, they’re more susceptible to the economic downturn and drop in custom because they don’t have the financial headroom to withstand a prolonged crisis. But they’re rooted in their local communities and the steps being taken by some to innovate and improvise when it comes to home deliveries – Blacker Hall Farm on the outskirts of Wakefield being one of many such examples – is to be commended. And it offers much food for thought on what consumers can do to support such ventures in a county renowned for its farming and food sectors.