Why we need to Eat locally now more than ever.
By: Eat Local North East
Tags: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Support, Food Industry, Covid 19

The food industry has looked after us for our whole lives, giving us our comfort food when we’re feeling down, allowing us to meet our other halves over a fancy meal, and bringing families together over a Sunday dinner. But, now it’s time we took care of the food industry when it needs us the most.

Local restaurants, takeout’s, cafés, bistros, markets and delis are what make your local area so special. Food is something we can all relate to, we all enjoy, and we all have to partake in to simply survive. For many, food is a hobby, a sense of culture, or for some (like myself) a passion. It brings people and families together, and without the small businesses that embellish our towns, cities and villages, who constantly bring us exotic cuisines, comfort foods, and delectable tastes, life would be very dull.

After all, closely followed behind the famous Geordie night out, Newcastle’s foodie scene is the second reason as to why the north east is the best part of the country (in my humble opinion).

Due to the coronavirus pandemic (otherwise known as the bain of all our lives at the moment), the food and drink industry has been hit with tough restrictions, often leading to serious financial struggles, closure, and bankruptcy. Only permitted to open for takeaway almost a month into the first lockdown back in march, small companies have been clinging onto their loyal customers for support, while for many, a takeaway service with all the measures in place, was not feasible.

Up and down the country, people have seen their favourite local bakeries, bistros and bars shut down, as they simply cannot cope without their usual income or increased support from the government.

And despite maintaining status of the lowest cause of infection, at a mere 2%, the government encouraged us to utilise the ‘eat out to help out’ scheme, then forced all bars and restaurants shut, and point the blame at the food and drink industry.

Now, before I go too far on a rant and start on Rishi Sunak and his problematic Eat out to help out scheme, here’s how you can help.

Buy local produce where possible. Tesco’s don’t do a little dance when you buy their bread, your local bakery around the corner does. Whilst it’s true that supermarkets are the easiest way to shop, and smaller businesses may not sell everything you need for the week, shop local where you can.

Use and abuse your markets! Here in the north east we are blessed with a great array of markets: Tynemouth (my personal favourite), Quayside, Grainger, and Hexham, to name a few. As of today (2nd December) food and retail markets are back open in the north east. As well as being a great day out, (especially as there’s not a lot else to do!), markets can offer gorgeous local produce to take home to cook, as well as delicious takeaway meals.

Buy takeaway from your favourite local foodie businesses! Instead of chain takeaways, check out your local restaurants social media pages/ websites to see their takeaway options and browse their menus! You’ll be surprised to see just how many are partaking in this alternate way to enjoy local delicacies. Make someone’s family smile because of the custom you are giving them.

Order your takeaways direct! I know apps like Deliveroo and Uber eats can make life easier sometimes, and increasingly serve small businesses and local food businesses’ menus, it really can make a difference if you order your takeaways from these small businesses directly from them. Have a look at their social medias and websites, and order by phone or DM in some cases. It can reduce their costs, meaning they get more buck for their bang!

Alternatively, I have linked some petitions where you can help too.

https://www.change.org/p/governor-polis-open-restaurants-for-dine-in-with-responsible-social-distancing

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/551634