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When local food is produced and delivered closer to the local consumer, everyone benefits. You and I – the buyers and consumers of food – have more influence on the food that is produced, and often with more varied, quality and fresh options that support the natural cycle of food production, and which is perfectly aligned to support our health.

You don’t need to buy an apple that’s travelled half-way around the world to reach your dish. Just think of the carbon footprint for that one apple arriving on your plate? Is it fresh? How was it grown? Were any chemicals used? Questions which are difficult to answer in today’s high-street supermarkets with food wrapped in a vast array of plastics, packaging and mixed labelling.

Choosing to buy your food from local sources here in one of the most amazing locations in the world, reduces the need for fuel-intensive transportation and supports the wider decarbonisation efforts the world is embracing. Transport by sea, air or road contributes to poor air quality. Buying locally helps to keep farming and food growing practices sustainable and minimises the environmental impact of the food we consume.

Even though the cost of living has increased, as a family we are still trying to support local businesses. Many of our vegetables are sourced locally from farm shops or direct from the farmer. However, over the past 18 months we have found it increasingly difficult to support local food producers due to rising costs. This has led us to reduce the amount of meat we consume and revert to purchasing from supermarkets what is now a luxury item. Unfortunately, the only thing that would encourage us as a family to purchase more local goods would be a reduction in living costs. Currently mass production has the competitive edge when it comes to staying within our budget.

Buying fresh, local produce is an important part of supporting the local economy and curbing my carbon footprint. However in light of the cost of living crisis it is increasingly looking like a luxury, especially when some supermarkets offer fresh fruit and veg boxes at cut price. So my mantra is, if I can afford to then yes support local and support Cornwall, but the option isn’t always that straightforward.

I’m going to play devil’s advocate here, it’s easy for chef’s and celebrities to say buy local etc but the fact is, it’s more expensive than supermarkets. With the cost of living going up how are families supposed to justify the extra pounds? BUT, what I will say/suggest is if you can aim to reduce protein/meat/dairy/fish consumption and buy local that will level out the cost, but also with that comes organisation and planning of meals.

Coupled with trying to eat seasonal you’ll then be on a much better food lifestyle. Or treat yourself once a week to some amazing local meat/fish/cheese/veg, once you taste the difference then you will start to unpick and budget accordingly. But I see it as my job to try and show people how to use cost effective local produce! It’s something we are planning at the cookery school in the near future, running specific courses for everyday ‘local’ eating within budget.

It’s never been more important to buy local. The last two years have shown us that supply can be a real issue in times of crisis and, with what’s happening in Ukraine and the effect that’s having on energy and prices, it makes absolute sense to support local producers. I try and do that as often as I can - not just because I think it’s the right thing to do but because what’s out there is genuinely (and tastily) impressive.

What would encourage me to buy even more local products? Probably promotion. Put something under my nose - either on a screen or in physically in front of me - and I’m more likely to want it. Visibility is key.