herewith article found in Kent local press recently.


MORE LOCAL MARKETS. People's trust in supermarket food falls.

The popularity of farmer's markets is on the increase as trust in government and
scientific advice about the safety of food dwindles.
There are several FM's aound SE Kent and an increasing cynicism in mass market food
that is likely to be good news for them.
A MORI poll survey found that only 12% of the poublic trusts the advice of governemnt
or company scientists on the safety of chemicals in everyday products. One local
farmer-who has a 141 acre holding-agreed with the findings in the survey.
He said "It doesn't surprise me at all.There is a mistrust of some supermarket produce
and the business about safety is paramount to people with young kids. They want to be
sure that they are getting wholesome food and at a reasonable price.There is also the
social aspect of the farmers' markets. It is rather like the way that the French do it.
One can be sure that what they buy is local and there is a great deal of variety"
The survey also uncovered scepticism about other sources,inmcluding academic scientists
and environment groups.
The survey was commissioned by the SCIENTIFIC ALLIANCE,an organisation set up to
counter the influence of environmental campainers.
Farmers Market organisers have reported a gradual increase in public interest from
those who want to buy their food directly from source and who talk to farmers or
stakeholders about what is safe to eat.

_-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Has anyone seen what the SA's conclusions on all this are?

The report above sounds nice if you support the move away from Supermarkets
but no mention of organics and given the SA's raison-d'etre, have they some
hidden agenda to try to circumvent this move and get people back in line with
the corporates (supermarkets, GM foods etc) ?????