Moving Away from Supermarkets – A Conscious Choice
At The Jericho Kitchen Cookery School in Oxfordshire we believe that truly memorable food begins long before it reaches the pan. It starts in the soil, in the fields, and in the hands of growers and makers whose names we know and whose values mirror our own.
Over the past year, we have made a deliberate shift towards sourcing ingredients directly from local producers. Our aim is to move almost entirely away from supermarket supply chains by the end of 2026. This is not about being fashionable — it is about flavour, transparency and responsibility.
As a cookery school in South Oxfordshire, we want our cooking classes to reflect the land and community around us. That means building relationships with farmers, millers, cheesemakers and butchers who prioritise regenerative farming, high welfare standards and sustainable food production.
Supermarkets have their place, but they are built around scale and efficiency. We are building something different. We want vegetables harvested at their seasonal peak. Flour milled with character and purpose. Meat that has been ethically reared. Ingredients with a clear story and traceable provenance.
By choosing local food suppliers in Oxfordshire and supporting independent British producers, we reduce food miles, strengthen small businesses and invest back into our regional food economy.
This approach also transforms the learning experience. When you join one of our seasonal cooking classes in Oxfordshire, you are not simply following a recipe. You are learning about provenance, seasonality and ingredient quality. You are understanding why sourcing matters.
Our 2026 vision is simple: rely on supermarkets for less than 30% of our ingredients and continue growing our network of trusted producers. It is ambitious, but it feels right.
Good quality ingredients, simple recipes and a lot of love. That is what makes eating not just delicious, but nourishing and sustainable.
If you would like to experience cooking with truly local, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, explore our upcoming classes at The Jericho Kitchen in Oxfordshire.
Em & the team x
