Living Local Day 7

Well today was the last day of our Living Local Experiment. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed shopping Independent there have been a few down sides too and there were a few items on my shopping list which I had trouble finding. For example, In our little town of Otley we do not have a Delicatessen so picking up cheese and deli meats can be a bit of a challenge especially if I needed something in particular and branded items which we enjoy are tricky to find although we do have an independent garage which has a little shop selling basic foods (good for cereal, tea, coffee etc).

Clothing can also be a problem when shopping locally although we do have a few nice shops for ladies wear, the choice is limited and  if i wanted something for Bear or D, I would have to head into Harrogate or Leeds and therefore pay a lot more. I can also appreciate that for someone who works full time, shopping independent could be quite challenging as it requires more time and the shops are not open after normal working hours.

However with all that being said, D and I have discussed the benefits of Living Local and have come to the conclusion that the pro's out way the con's. In the last week, we have felt much a part of this community, when I go into a shop to purchase something, I feel as though the retailers enjoy what they do and are happy to see us and they offer advise about the products they sell and suggest items they think I might like. As a family we are eating healthier, I am making meals from scratch instead of resorting to whatever is in the freezer section in Sainsbury's. It also gives me a reason to get out of the house and interact with members of the community. Lastly we feel as though we are putting money straight back into our economy and helping our little town of Otley prosper and stay the lovely market town that we love.

So Living Local has been extended for one whole year!! We will purchase all of our grocery items from local retailers and will avoid supermarkets. Clothing and shoes we will buy from our usual high street shops unless we can buy independent first.  Let the adventure begin!

Kirsty x

Living Local - Day 3

On a mission to find decent cheese, I popped into The Local Pantry in Pool-In-Wharfedale. The Local Pantry is a farm shop selling locally sourced fresh produce. I have passed this place a thousand times on my drive to Harrogate and always thought of stopping by to take a look. The shop is very well laid out with sections for dried pasta, rice, dried fruit and dairy products as well as frozen foods, preserves, cakes, fresh meat, cakes, fruit and veg. In addition to all this they also have a little cafe with beautiful views of the Chevin and surrounding wildlife in the perfect location for meeting friends and family for a coffee and a catchup. Best of all though (with my mission in mind) They sell cheese!! Different kinds of cheese all made locally! Perfect! I purchased a small block of Ribblesdale Parmesan, Risotto Rice, Butter, Eggs and  a yogurt for The Bear.

Very happy with my purchases today!

Kirsty  x

Images curtsey of  http://www.thelocalpantry.co.uk

Living Local - Day 2

The most common thing people have said when I have told them I intend to shop with Independent Retailers is "ooh that will be expensive" and as a family of three living on a relatively low income this was a big concern. However I am determined and when I say I will do something, I don't back down. So off I went in the rain with Bear in the buggy to begin our first shop. We managed to find everything we needed with the exception of Cheese! The one thing our little town of Otley is missing is a Deli. Eventually we stumbled upon a little sandwich shop that sold small blocks of Red Cheddar so we bought the biggest block they had and went on our way. I was very keen when we returned home to compare the prices of the items I had bought with Sainsbury's, our nearest supermarket. What I found really surprised me...Sainsbury's was a whole £5 more expensive!!! Plus there were items on my list which I were not available in the supermarkets so I would have needed to go into town anyway.

As a stay at home mum there are times when I can go a whole day not having an adult conversation, this can be very frustrating. Today I had conversations with shop owners, market traders, ladies waiting in line for market stalls and I even bumped into one of our neighbours who offered to lend me any items I wasn't able to find. All of this made me realise how lucky I am to live here in Otley.

Here are a few pictures of todays adventures.

The lovely lads from D.A.D. These guys are here every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday without fail, whatever the weather selling their locally grown fruit and veg.

Otley Pharmacy, the only Independent Pharmacy in town and open till 11pm!  

Our Friendly Local Butchers Geo. Middlemiss and Son.

Kirsty x