More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
We've set our editorial apprentice, Rebecca Tuffin, the challenge to only eat foods where all ingredients are from Kent for a whole week.
She has now completed her sixth day - check out how day five went by clicking here.
I'm sorry to say I have come to the end of the road and am no longer doing the challenge.
Would you every consider buying local? Vote in the poll below.
I woke up this morning, a tad hungover, craving a McDonald's and gave in.
Despite not quite making it to the end of the week, I am still pleased I managed five days.
My favourite meal was either the cherry pancakes or homemade pasta with venison - both things I'd never tried before and both were very tasty.
All together I spent about £50 on food.
I am living with my parents at the moment so am not buying food normally, which means this made quite an impact on my bank balance.
When I was living alone, my weekly shop cost £30 so it seems local food is more expensive in general.
Another set back was that farm shops are only open until about 5pm, which is very inconvenient for a 9 to 5 worker.
However, what I did learn is that it is possible to make tasty meals with ingredients right on your doorstep, and it is fun being inventive with dishes.
In this time of environmental panic, it is nice to feel you are helping, even if just by a very small amount.
There are some things you will never be able to get from Kent, like exotic fruit and spices, but actually, there is a lot more here than I first thought.
What I've concluded from the challenge is it's much more realistic and doable to just add some local ingredients to your shopping list every week - but not replace absolutely everything.
It's the same with a diet - if you try and cut out all your favourite treats, you're more likely to give up because it becomes too hard.
So, from now on, I'm going to try and buy at least three items from local farm shops or markets each week.
Something's better than nothing and every little helps!
