“Better for the world is better for you”: James Grant, No2 Pound Street

The global cheese market is growing, with more people turning to cheese for nutrition and convenience. The health benefits of cheese are being realised, such as its good protein, minerals, calcium and its use as a keto-friendly food.

In 2023, UK consumers are especially interested in sustainable and ethically produced cheeses.

Decisions in food buying are being steered by the alarming rate of global warming. Our choices for food are becoming fine-tuned and switched on to “what’s better for the environment is better for us”. With 60% of the UK population now choosing to buy sustainably, they also agree to pay more for the privilege. In my opinion, it is clear that positive change is on the horizon.

Take cheesemakers Patrick and Rebecca Holden who make Hafod Cheese. We have to wise up to their philosophy when it comes to maintaining circular economies by investing time in good regenerative land management and proper animal husbandry. Patrick is the CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust.

This month’s column aims to focus your attention on buying wisely. For too long the wool has been pulled over our eyes when it comes to good food choices. With a booklet of various subsidies to choose from, Defra seems to have lost the plot. Indeed farmers will benefit from planting trees and hedgerows, but will they be able to afford to make the changes needed to become fully agroecological?

So what is this all about? Simply put, it is without doubt that arable, dairy and meat produce born on regenerative land contains all the right stuff for a healthy diet. “Regenerative Agriculture’ describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle,” according to Regeneration International.

As a procurer of charcuterie, cheese, wine and bread we are ever so conscious of the foods that we sell at No2. Mankind has destroyed so many eco systems and diminished the rich pastures to lifeless soils through the decline in soil condition caused by its improper use or poor management, usually for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes. It is a serious environmental problem. Soils are a fundamental natural resource, and are the basis for all terrestrial life. Avoiding soil degradation is crucial to our well-being.

This is why my mission in 2023 is to focus on farmers and winemakers that are consciously following agroecological methods to help enrich and keep or soil healthy and, what’s more, full of life. Last year I attended the Science of Artisan Cheese Conference. This was an inspirational time for me and has convinced me that we can all participate in the positive agricultural change.

What better story is there when you can put your hand on your heart and explain truly why something tastes so good and different? Take Hafod or Stonebeck cheese for example. I have travelled far and wide and met many cheese farmers. These are only a few that truly get it and are prepared to make the sacrifices needed to achieve a circular economy that is in harmony with the planet.

Why stock these cheeses? It is obvious, not to mention the fact that the cheeses produced on farms like this are quite frankly brilliant. The taste of Hafod and Stonebeck reflects the terroir, the diet and the biome in which the cows live and graze.

There are other great cheese farmers out there, which we stock at No2. We are proud to buy from conscientious British farmers and love to tell the story about their ethos and why that makes their cheese awesome.