At Trewithen Dairy we believe that buying British produce is a way of life that benefits everyone in the wider community. As an established family-run dairy business, we’ve seen firsthand how supporting local businesses can transform economies, preserve traditions, and create a more sustainable future. From the lush green pastures where our cows graze to the creamy goodness in your morning brew, every step of our process is a testament to the power of local production. In this blog, we’ll explore why it is better to buy British produce, and what that means for you.
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Why Should We Buy British?
British food standards are among the highest in the world, ensuring quality, traceability, and animal welfare. Buying British food is the best choice as it supports local farmers and rural communities, helping to sustain the UK’s agricultural industry and preserve traditional farming practices.
Having the option to purchase a variety of locally grown food right in the heart of Cornwall has many benefits for you and the community you live in. When consumers choose local products, they’re not just making a purchase; they’re investing in their community’s economic health by supporting local businesses and jobs, keeping money circulating within the area.
1. Better Quality Food
Buying local foods that have been harvested at their optimum time is fresher, tastier and arguably higher in nutritional value than food that has undergone weeks of processing, handling and travel in transport.
2. Supporting the British Economy
The UK as a whole has a wealth of British produce which is renowned throughout the world for its quality and taste. Cornwall is a truly unique corner of the UK with a bounty of fresh produce available from our fields, seas and orchards. Buying locally grown food supports the country’s economic health and keeps money circulating locally. At Trewithen Dairy, we take pride in being part of this vibrant, homegrown food system, delivering delicious, locally sourced dairy straight from Cornwall.
3. Reducing Environmental Impacts
One of the most impactful choices in buying locally-grown British food is the opportunity to care for our planet. Supporting your local farmer has a positive impact by helping to preserve valuable green spaces within the heart of Cornwall.
When you buy British produce, local products travel shorter distances from producer to consumer, dramatically cutting down on fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction in “food miles” is especially impactful for perishable goods like dairy products, which often require refrigerated transport over long distances when sourced non-locally. Local products often require less packaging than goods prepared for long-distance shipping and extended shelf life which again helps to protect the environment as the need for package manufacturing is limited.
Local farms and businesses tend to operate on a smaller scale, often employing more sustainable practices. For example, at Trewithen Farm, our farms are within 25 miles of the dairy and cows graze on local pastures, which helps maintain soil health and biodiversity.
4. Preserving Regional Food Culture
Regional British food producers often use time-honoured techniques passed down through generations. By supporting British businesses, consumers help keep these traditional methods alive. Buying locally and in-season ensures continued demand for regional specialities and prevents them from disappearing from the culinary landscape altogether. By choosing to buy British, consumers actively participate in keeping their region’s unique food culture alive, ensuring that traditional flavours, techniques, and food-related customs continue to thrive and evolve for future generations.
5. Seasonal Eating
Seasonal eating fosters a deeper connection to nature, heightening awareness of climate patterns and agricultural cycles. When you choose to purchase British produce at the time of year nature intended, you are in sync with the ebb and flow of seasonal harvests, automatically adjusting eating habits to what’s freshly available.
This shift towards seasonal eating is crucial as it supports optimal nutrition. When fruits and vegetables are consumed at peak ripeness, they offer maximum flavour and nutritional value, promoting environmental sustainability by reducing the need for energy-intensive greenhouse cultivation or long-distance transportation of out-of-season produce.
What Are The Benefits Of Local Food Systems?
Increased food security, easier traceability and transparency, and stronger community connections are just a few benefits of buying British. When consumers buy from local producers like Trewithen Dairy, they support local jobs and businesses. This economic activity has a multiplier effect, as local producers often purchase supplies from other local businesses, creating a robust economy both locally and nationally.
Buying British produce grants you access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods. British produce offers better traceability and stronger community connections for all involved, granting you better information about the quality and sustainability of the food you are eating.
Buying your food from a local producer offers the consumer the chance to meet the farmer who produced their food. While you are supporting your local community and building friendships along the way, local farmers are given the opportunity to educate their consumers on seasonal produce and have a positive sense of place.
Why Is Buying British Produce Better Than Buying Food from Overseas?
Buying British produce connects you to the rhythms of the seasons and the unique culinary heritage of your region. At Trewithen Dairy, we see this in the subtle changes in our milk’s flavour throughout the year, reflecting the varied diet of our grass-fed cows. We’re proud to be part of Cornwall’s rich local food system, providing fresh, high-quality Cornish dairy products while supporting our local economy and preserving our nation’s rich agricultural heritage. We have impeccably high standards and always have done.
Due to the changing seasons in the UK, we have a hunger gap from April until early June when the UK fields are pretty bare and so will always have a need for foreign imports. However, while international cuisine has its place in expanding our culinary horizons, as a consumer you can do your bit by checking labels on all food products and choosing British produce first when it is in season.
How Trewithen Dairy Embodies the Best of British
Our commitment to quality begins with contented cows, grazing freely on lush Cornish pastures, resulting in milk that captures the essence of the Cornish countryside. By keeping our production local, we ensure that our products reach customers at the peak of freshness, often within hours of leaving the farm.
1. Our Cornish Heritage and Farming Practices
Our farmers have been nurturing the land and producing exceptional dairy products for generations and are located in the heart of Cornwall within a 25-mile radius of Trewithen Dairy. The area around us takes in some of the most beautiful countryside Cornwall has to offer, including Bodmin Moor to the north, Fowey Estuary to the south, Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the east and Goss Moor Nature Reserve to the west. All our farmers are committed to working together to adopt and share best practices in dairy farming and animal health, welfare & husbandry. This includes participation in a regular programme of best-practice dairy farming workshops funded by Trewithen Dairy.
2. From Farm to Table: The Journey of Our Products
When you choose Trewithen Dairy, you’re not just enjoying some of the finest dairy products Cornwall has to offer; you’re supporting a vision of British food that’s better for you, better for the community, and better for the planet. Every product we create follows a journey of care, craftsmanship, and sustainability, from farm to table. Our dedicated team then crafts this milk into delicious creams, butter and yoghurt using time-honoured methods that retain natural goodness. From our farm to your table, every step reflects our passion for quality, authenticity, and bringing the best of Cornish dairy to you.
3. Supporting Other Local Businesses and Farmers
We are determined to work with and support our farmers to ensure that their on-farm practices and performance levels meet the expectations of our customers and ultimately those who consume our products. In doing so, we believe this will generate better and more sustainable supply chains; enhance customer and consumer loyalty and ultimately allow us to continue to pay our farmers a premium price for their milk. We call this approach to animal health and welfare Trew Farming – it’s what we and our farmers believe in and do every day of the year.
How to Incorporate More British Food into Your Diet
Incorporating more local food into your diet is easier than you might think. Start by looking for supermarket labels indicating where the food was produced or grown and make the choice for British produce and locally-produced food.
Shopping at Farmers’ Markets and Local Stores
Buying local food at your local farmers market is a great way to ensure your food is local. There are lots of options in Cornwall for veggie box deliveries straight to your door too making it easier still. Choosing local supports the circular economy and ensures that you are getting the most nutritious, sustainable produce for you and your family.
Cooking with Seasonal, Cornish Ingredients
Incorporating more local Cornish ingredients into your cooking recipes is a fantastic way to celebrate the rich flavours of our region while supporting British farmers and producers. Start by visiting local farmers’ markets to pick up fresh seasonal vegetables, or choose fresh mackerel or crab caught straight from our coast. When it comes to dairy, Trewithen Dairy’s rich creams, butter, and milk add an authentic local touch to any dish, from creamy soups to decadent desserts.
Conclusion: Why Is it Better to Buy British?
The closer we are to our source of food the higher the standard, taste and nutrition will be. Buying British strengthens the domestic food supply chain and ensures that farming traditions and expertise are passed down to future generations. It means supporting ethical farming practices that prioritise the health of consumers, animals, and the planet while promoting a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Our local farmers are here to benefit the family meal nights, the future of our environment and the wider community. Buy British produce and be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing the best for your family and the planet.
Where to buy our dairy products
