My son recently made bolognese sauce in his technology class and among his ingredients was mince beef from an animal we had reared on the farm.

When George revealed this titbit of information as he whipped up the dish, there was a buzz of interest in the kitchen and his pound of mince became a talking point.

The teacher announced its origins to the class and it rapidly acquired celebrity status. None of George’s classmates live on a farm so he too is a bit of a curiosity.

But he may not always be in a minority. Soon after we had gathered around the supper table to devour what turned out to be a very tasty bolognese sauce, I read a newspaper report suggesting that the economic slump was turning us into a nation of farmers. ‘We’re All Farmers Now!’ the headline screamed.

The article declared that a food revolution was in progress. Never before has there been more interest in keeping hens and growing carrots and cabbages.

With prices marching upwards and food security undoubtedly an issue, it makes economic sense to grow for nutritional benefit instead of planting flowers to beautify the borders.

My 92-year-old grandmother, who still takes a keen interest in her garden, remembers a similar movement during the war. The ‘Dig for Victory’ crusade had a more serious foundation than today’s campaign.

Food scarcity was the issue then, not price, but the principle was the same. It’s reassuring that people are reconnecting with the origins of food.

Let’s hope no-one tells the Chancellor about the revolution in the nation’s gardens. You can bet your first home-produced lettuce that he will find some way of taxing it!