The recent decision also highlights the opportunity for each and every one of us to revaluate our role and choices as consumers, taking responsibility for our actions to change and improve what food we buy and from where. Patrick Holden notes that we must “make a commitment as consumers and electors” to find produce that has been grown in this country from truly sustainable producers. He suggests, “If you are a supermarket shopper, set yourself new purchasing criteria - insist on knowing the story behind any food you buy in a supermarket, specifically the location and identity of the producer, and the sustainability of their production system.”

Sustainably or organically grown produce is often seen as a luxury, but if we buy less and buy better, we will be helping not only our own nutrition, but also the wider – most often unseen – ethical and environmental impacts. For it was Wendell Berry, again, who fittingly said, “Eating is an agricultural act” – he has plenty of wonderful phrases. Abi Aspen Glenross suggests, “Try and buy as good as you can afford. Pop to a local farmers market for your cabbage instead of a fancy supermarket, or buy those eggs at the side of the road. Do your research a little, and if you can find out who grew it, you're a step closer to knowing how it was grown.” Andy Swinscoe suggests, “Buy from a good retailer who has a link to where their produce comes from; seek them out and support them. We need to celebrate all that is unique about our land rather than maximizing faceless produce.” It is known that buying more locally sourced food is the answer to responsible consumption, which is true in many cases, but in a world of growing ecommerce and lockdown restrictions, it seems that buying ‘directly’ from the source – well, as close you can possibly get to the source – is the best course of action to understand your food’s provenance. An example of buying ‘less but better’ produce is particularly patent is the dairy industry. James Robinson notices plenty of benefits from people buying his organic milk, “By buying our premium organic milk, it is not only healthier for the consumer, but that extra money allows us as farmers time to care for our animals and our land. It enables us to sustain our high levels of animal welfare and perform vital environmental conservation; maintain local becks and watercourses, rebuild dry stonewalls and laying hedges for pasture and boundaries. These practices in turn result in happier livestock, healthier milk, and an increase in biodiversity, whilst keeping rural traditions alive. We have around 12-acres covered by hedge canopy now, but what you lose in land loss, you gain in natural shelter, pasture for the livestock, more carbon captured, plus an amazing amount of wildlife.”