Unlike British supermarkets, most independent retailers have plenty of tomatoes and peppers, cucumbers and lettuce, despite the shortages reported on the news. Drinkwaters, the local grower and wholesaler supplying our fruit and veg, tells us there is no problem sourcing salad stuffs from the market, even though supplies have been affected by the recent cold snap in North Africa. The cost of heating greenhouses is another factor that has pushed prices up. The fact is that supermarkets operate fixed price tariffs and aren’t prepared to pay the farmers a going rate when times get tough. Smaller shops like ours can be a little more flexible, while still trying to offer good value to customers. Another reason to shop local throughout the year
