Troubled Times

We’ve all had a very surreal couple of weeks (or months depending on where you live) following the Coronavirus outbreak; and it feels like we’re only just at the start of some major life and lifestyle changes. As a grower, I was very keen to see the list of ‘key workers’ eventually appear on Friday morning; not just in terms of what it means for farmers and growers who have children and were waiting to see if school closures for non-key workers would affect them; but mostly for what it might mean in the event of a possible future lockdown, where movement is restricted as in the US and other countries. Many growers in particular do not live on the farm or piece of land where they grow food, so being able to travel to and from the land is going to be key in making sure we keep food on the shelves in the coming months.

It seems that following the mass-reported panic buying – and also sensible buying by people who are having to self-isolate for 7 or 14 days – more and more people are turning to local producers and local shops in an effort to find food and avoid the disappointment of the empty shelves, stress and difficulties maintaining social distancing in the overcrowded supermarkets. This is, economically speaking at least, potentially a ray of light for local producers; and it’s an odd experience for those producers who have spent years – if not decades – struggling to earn a living, to find themselves suddenly so apparently prized and valued. The boost at least will help those premises with a cafe or restaurant part of their businesses which has dropped off, and my heart goes out to all those who have had an awful week desperately trying to work out how to keep staff on while takings have dropped through the floor. Hopefully the Government measures for businesses announced at the end of last week will solve some of these headaches for the short-term at least.

I know of many growers running box schemes that have seen new orders go through the roof in the last 10 days; and they are working all hours to answer emails and phone calls, process orders, source the extra food and other items for vulnerable family members of existing customers, pick extra veg and make extra deliveries – as well as do all the usual growing work at this busy time of year. Some have had to stop taking new customers for the time being due to the overload, and I’ve heard of instances where growers have been shouted at over the phone and sworn at when they apologetically tell potential new customers they’ll have to wait. It seems that when the chips are down, those who have ignored the plight of struggling farmers and growers and opted for cheaper food elsewhere then expect those producers to survive on thin air and supply them with what they want at the drop of a hat. Things are certainly tense at the moment and we’re all under stress, but this kind of abuse should not be accepted.

This issue is also a fine line for growers and farmers to walk: how do we explain the problems of there only currently being limited capacity for local food following a 100%+ increase in demand overnight, without seeming over-accusatory and ‘I-told-you-so’ about the need for a strong local food system? As producers of course we are all desperate to help everyone at this time and supply as many people as possible with good healthy food – no matter how recently they have discovered us. Practicalities mean that it may take us a little time to solve all the logistical problems we face however.

Many growers are having to rapidly refocus their business model following restaurant closures, and find new ways of getting their produce to people; and likewise over-subscribed box schemes and shops are looking for more produce. The OGA has launched a free spreadsheet where producers can list produce they now have spare, so buyers can search the list and find local produce. Hopefully in the short-term this can help find homes and bellies for produce that is ready right now and in the next couple of months; while the planning for new outlets can happen over the growing season. After all, unfortunately we are entering the ‘hungry gap’ of the UK growing season, but the summer months will see plenty more produce and varieties becoming available. Here’s hoping that the summer months will bring good news to all of us, and a respite from the bleak outlook at the moment.