Greetings, eGullet (!) I agree with fisherman, that the biggest problem is the sheer power - and lack of knowledge - wielded by the supermarket buyers. Farmers get such a tiny proportion of the cost of every product that it is ludicrous - and the same regime applies to other suppliers, so Heinz are about as likely to be pressured as the own-brand manufacturers. This, to me, is the single best reason for not shopping at supermarkets, wherever practicable (but I agree, if anyone can explain to me where else the cat litter comes from...). But I've been told - from a couple of sources, including farmers - that Sainsburys are about as bad as anyone else, and that the chain with the least bad buying policies are Waitrose. But another reason that she makes clear is the vast distance that supermarket goods have travelled - even if you don't have that big a brief to save the environment, surely it's better to buy local, fresher produce that hasn't just done a quick tour of the country, simply for the taste? (cat litter excepting, obviously). Susannah
