Shopper discovers local Tesco not selling single variety of British apples
Instead he found fruit which had been transported thousands of miles from Chile, the U.S., New Zealand and South Africa.
Mr Deen, the town’s mayor Janet Jackson and Food4Macc, a campaigning group, are now calling for stores to stock more locally-sourced produce.
Mr Deen, 50, from Siddington, said: 'When I couldn’t find an English apple I had to check twice. A member of staff checked as well and admitted they had none in stock. He was clearly embarrassed.
Colin Townend, from Food4Macc, a voluntary group which campaigns for locally-produced food, called for Tesco to introduce a ‘local produce section’ in its stores.
He said: 'We understand the economic drivers behind the supermarkets' buying policies, but in the same way as organic food was a speciality product a few years ago but now enjoys its own sections in supermarkets, we would like to see the supermarkets having "local produce" sections, exploiting the loyalty to local producers that undoubtedly exists.'
A quick survey of other retailers in the town found Aldi and Sainsbury’s supermarkets both selling at least one brand of English apple, while Alan Reddy’s fruit and veg stall at the indoor market sold only English varieties.
Mayor of Macclesfield, councillor Janet Jackson, carried out her own survey and found the same.
She said: 'The cost of air miles for fruit brought from around the world is impacting on our economy and our climate. I would hope that supermarkets would, when such produce is in season in Britain, make sure that homegrown fruit is given priority. Focus on British fruit to cut down on the air miles.'
A spokesman for Tesco said the Macclesfield store may have suffered an ‘off day’.
He said: 'Our stocklists show Pink Lady and Bramley English varieties on sale, as well as many other British products in our fruit and vegetable section, including our tomatoes which are from Cheshire. At the time the customer visited we may have not had any in stock. It is possible we had an off day. Tesco sold more English apples and pears in 2013-14 than any other retailer. The traditional British apple season runs from September to July and our first new season British apple was in store this weekend.'
Apple production tends to be associated with Kent and Herefordshire. However, Cheshire has a rich history of growing apples and boasts 33 varieties, including the Minshull Crab.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
