‘Start small and see the benefits’

HEATHER PARRY, deputy chief executive at Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said she agreed with Monty Don’s point of view about self-sufficiency, but also the benefits of growing some food yourself.

She said the Society’s Harrogate farm shop, Fodder, had 350 local suppliers – something that would be impossible to replicate at home – so supplementing self-grown food with locally produced food is the way forward.

“In terms of the amount of space and facilities you need, being self-sufficient would be testing,” she said. “But the idea of growing some food depending on what you have got is great.

“Look at you diet, what you spend your money on and what you would benefit from, and going from there. Start with easy things like potatoes and tomatoes and build it up.”