I agree with both sides of this. Buying locally sourced high quality food, which tends to be better for you, has many parallels with the small, independent hifi business in many ways. There is a premium on both but it is worth paying for, and benefits you in every way.
Having said that I fully understand the vast majority buying chain store and benefiting from economies of scale, albeit at a lowest common denominator level. That's why even companies that cater for the masses like the horrible Tesco, have had great success with Finest, and why many will pay a premium for iPod and the like, while at the same time there is still a large market for 'value' sausages etc. Most people have to compromise somewhere along the line. Mr Fearnley Whittingstall is noble in his free range chicken argument, but it's only going to work if you can afford it. Most people on this forum spend a good proportion of their disposable on music/AV, some can afford good food too, some can even afford good holidays and designer clothes...
I personally try to buy the best I can afford in all spheres, my compromise being I make my slippers last 10 years but I eat well and I have decent sounds - that doesn't mean I can't get a bargain like my £400 CD192, likewise for every 3 tins of beans for a quid, there's some nice stuff from Borough Market too.
Think I've got a bit carried away, that's the problem with listening to James Taylor, you just start rambling.
Ah rambling, last week I was up in the hills, walking and guess what...
I'll get me coat...
PS Roll on the footie season and some balti pies to even things out again