We all know that our supermarkets are doing better business than ever. Tesco (and Wal-Mart for our US brethren) seems to be turning into the nation’s feeder, clothing and entertainment provider, while more and more local shops are being forced to close down, especially after the big retailers are now moving into urban areas as well, with smaller, more nimble outlets that often stay open 24 hours.
At the same time we’re all becoming increasingly aware of the impact we’re having on the planet, our health and how it’s impacted by the food we eat. We don’t want to keep buying all these useless packaging or keep eating processed food or produce that we’re not sure where it came from. We’re all also apparently too busy to get to know our neighbours and engage with our local community and feel a little bit lost in the big cities we live in.
Well, things are not as bad as they seem. Some of our high street may look like it’s been taken over by a master set-designer, but there are pockets of resistance and the signs are that those islands of independence are faring well. Kentish Town is a case in point. According to a study by the Green Party 53 shops out of 87 on the high street are still independently owned. I’m lucky enough to leave nearby and some of the places on Kentish Town Road really deserve a visit – especially the authentic food shops that can be found close to the tube station.
There are four food shops that stand out and amazingly they all manage to complement each other very well and seem to be doing some great business. Coming down from Kentish Town Tube station, you are first greeted by Earth Natural Foods. The most recent and upmarket of the bunch. In the wide-spaced isles you’ll find some top-notch organic whole-foods, nuts and seeds and some hearty fresh bread. Walk a bit further down and pick up some meat from Phoenicia or one of their Lebanese wraps filled with chicken, humus and (my favourite) chick pea and aubergine salad. At £2 you can’t do much better for a quick lunch snack.
Paradise Foods is your typical cosy delicatessen shop and they’ve been around for ages on Kentish Town. They can’t compete for variety as they’re a much smaller outlet, but you will find some of the more exotic meat, such ostrich in their freezer.
To round things off and before you turn left of Prince of Wales road stop in at the Wine Cellar. Have a small chat with the friendly Portuguese couple that own the place and pick up some Jamon Serano and Pecorino cheese for the later afternoon munches.
There, you’ve just spend an hour stocking you fridge and cupboard with some great food and at the same time have done your bit for your local community… welcome to the local resistance movement. Give yourself a pat in the back, open up a bottle of wine and enjoy

Have you got a story to tell about your neighbourhood? We’d love to hear it. Send it to us at myarea@trustedplaces.com and we’ll share it with everybody here.

Earth Natural Foods


Phoenicia


The Wine Cellar