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This article has inspired me to plant some veges in the flower garden this weekend.

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>>But I still think that my point is a valid one for further discussion
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I abbsolutely agree, discussion is good for the mind and soul.

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>>it is not sustainable to provide every person in the country with their own quater-acre section, especially in the cities because we would just see an infinite urban sprawl, which is a terrible idea.
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Indeed, so how would you allocate the leases? In England, there was a socially acceptable approach that caused no ill will. In New York, as I understand it, the plots of land (non of which are in Manhatten which is, by definition, NYC’s ‘inner city’, I think most of them are in Queens) were purchased through a philanthropists bequest, though I have no idea how they were allocated.

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>>But we all think (don’t we?) that more self-sufficiency would be ideal. So allotments could be a good direction.
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I’m not actually certain that total self sufficiency is a good thing I’m afraid. Yu see, I quite like a juicy steak, but draw the line at keeping a cow in the back yard. I also have very little free time (four grandchildren, a lifelong habit of service club membership and a wife who can fill in odd hours at the blink of an eye,) which coupled with the ability to somehow cause a plant to wither with the slightest touch, makes me a bad candidate for self-sufficiency. I believe in distribution of labour, each according to his skills and abilities, and am prepared to purchase the fruits of another man’s labour for coin or note at a mutually acceptable exchange rate. As have been the majority of people since the initial tribes were formed from families sharing a geographical proximity.

So lets stick to the main point which is the concept of land allotments for inner city residents.

An aside to your later point. Quality is a very abstract concept. I live in Wellington, where ther are many excellect eating establishments, one of which my son is head chef at. However, I have taught a lesson on quality to many of my clients over the years that proves that McDonalds has higher quality than any other restuarant or restuarant chain in the city. That though is just the International Standards Association’s view of quality. You are allowed to have another as long as you define it

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Then the solution is obvious and available to you today. Band together. Buy the land. Plant stuff. What are the city dwelling greenies waiting for?

>>hardly think you can justify allotments as a mere ‘hobby’

They’re a hobby.

They might be otherwise if the food distribution channel in NZ ground to a halt, but the chance of that happening is near zero.

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That is a very valid argument, pointing out the carbon benefits of using the most efficiently produced garlic. Of course if she were talking about aluminium instead…

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I would appreciate it if you considered what I say, not put words in my mouth and then criticise me for what you think I would say. You get the difference, ey?

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It is true to say that organic is sometimes of higher quality. It is not true to say it is always better quality. It is not true to say that people can always taste the difference. It is true to say that organic can sometimes be inferior.

As I say, try the blind taste test. Is religion getting in the way?

>>people who have something to gain by telling people the opposite are insidious

Uh-huh. I have nothing against organic, and have purchased it in the past. But claims about superior quality and taste are often nonsense. Time to market and handling conditions are often more important factors than bug control methodology.

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It is very easy.

Band together, buy a plot of land, and divide it up.
You might find your vegetables turn out to be really expensive, however, when you factor in rates, interest etc. Then, the idea of growing this stuff on – you know, dedicated farms outside the city – seems to make more sense.

Oh, you want me (taxpayer) to pay for your hobby? Thought so….

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But I still think that my point is a valid one for further discussion – it is not sustainable to provide every person in the country with their own quater-acre section, especially in the cities because we would just see an infinite urban sprawl, which is a terrible idea. But we all think (don’t we?) that more self-sufficiency would be ideal. So allotments could be a good direction.

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I’m not dissing home grown. I grow grapes, tomatoes, herbs…

The meaning of “Just what do you have to do to grow and harvest a bag of garlic, transport it from China to a New Zealand supermarket, sell it for 99 cents and still make a profit”….is rather ambiguous. The way I read it is it suggests that there is something untoward going on.

From a quality perspective, I’d challenge people to take the taste test, especially after the garlic has been cooked and incorporated into a meal. I’m a foodie, and freely admit I could not tell the difference. I’m reminded of Rick Steins series on organic, local produce, where he repeatedly failed to identify the organic produce in blind taste tests.

I’m not saying there isn’t a certain feel-good factor to organic and local produce, but taste and quality arguments are often nonsense.

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One question though. Patches of land were ‘allotted’ to members of the armed forces who wanted them on their return from the war. They were able to supplement their diet (which needed it given the deprevations of ‘the front”) and held the land under a peppercorn rental. How would you allocate them in New Zealand today?

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You launching into a knee jerk response about so called free-market is merely a Pavlovian response on your part, rather than a debate about the issues.

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I think there should be a movement for inner-city allotments, like the traditional ones of the UK, which can satisfy the eating demands of families, and at the same time encourage a sense of community in an urban environment where close ties with your neighbours isn’t a priority.

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Create efficient free market trading systems. Economies of scale, comparative advantage, technology, etc.

The fact that central planners don’t get it doesn’t surprise me…..

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