WHY BUY ARTISAN FOOD?
‘Artisan’ is a term used to describe food produced by non-industrialised methods, often handed down through generations but now in danger of being lost. Tastes and processes, such as fermentation, are allowed to develop slowly and naturally, rather than curtailed for mass-production.
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Environment – produce and ingredients are usually sourced locally and don’t travel far to the point of purchase. 'Low food miles' results in lower transport emissions, fresher produce and less need for preservatives or transporting conditions that could affect the taste and texture.
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Quality – while the end products of an artisan process are usually excellent quality due to the care put into their creation, the basic ingredients they use are also very important. Artisans take enormous pride in their products as it is often a representation of themselves so take every care to ensure that the ingredients they use are the best they can find.
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Tradition – the processes used by food artisans are traditional techniques that have worked for many years. Although modern ingredients and technology can make food faster and at a lower cost, you can be sure that anything made by an artisan will be the result of proven techniques that have shown to get great results.
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Local Economy – the vast majority of artisan producers selling products in any town will be based nearby and/or will be an independent company. Buying these products helps support these companies and keep diversity in the marketplace. In fact, studies have shown that buying from local producers keeps around 65% of the money spent within the local community, versus 40% when purchased from large supermarkets.
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Organic – they often use more organic ingredients and growing techniques that are in-keeping with traditional practices.
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Meaning & History – these products can often have a deep connection to a certain place, ingredient or process. Artisans might use techniques passed down in a region for hundreds of years, or they might be the last producers in the world to work with a particular ingredient in a traditional way. These stories give the products meaning and importance that you won’t get in a giant supermarket aisle.
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Unique – ultimately, artisan products can only be successful if they taste good, and this is another area where the approach brings interesting benefits. Mass produced food is limited by the most efficient production techniques and cheapest, most available ingredients. An artisan has more freedom to experiment and try new things without having to alter large production lines.