Lesson in Food for the Whole Family
.... by Petra Hornsby.
For many of us leading hectic lives, shopping has become a routine of grab and run whenever we can find the time, and often with the children in tow. For those who are even busier (or more organised, some might argue), food can be chosen ‘virtually’ without even touching it and delivered direct to the fridge door.
Many of us would hate to admit it but shopping has become a burden, quality food has been sacrificed for convenience, but we all know the sorry truth, that none of us has become any healthier because of it; especially our children. Like many busy parents today I put time to be spent on food shopping way down the list and soon the rather joyless and exhausting process of bulk shopping began to reflect on how I cooked. Having initially embraced the joys of an easier life, I gradually became disillusioned with the whole process.
My own experience was completely different, when as a child I accompanied my mother to our local town market for vegetables, the butchers for the meat, and the delicatessen for cheeses and more exotic items. In the summer we learned about the seasons and picked our own fruit, filling our tummies before our punnets (tut-tut). My mother still shops this way. She still works and runs a house and in all honesty her life is as busy as mine so what’s my excuse?
I was a classic example of someone who had sold her food soul to the devil in return for ‘quality’ time, whatever that is, and yet I love food! In theory I love loitering at counters, having a taste of some special smoked fish, or a ripe beautifully stinky cheese. When a friend suggested a visit to our local Farmers Market I was surprised and delighted at the quality and range of foods on offer, I began to get excited once again about food. Shopping for food could be fun and rewarding - I had seen the light!
Farm fresh eggs, speciality sausages, organic breads and mouth watering pastries, peas still encased in pods, the earthy freshness of an early summer potato and best of all the triumphant possession of the first, most exalted, local asparagus! Culinary utopia! What I really hadn’t expected was the prices; I had gone along willing to pay more for fresh quality produce but was delighted to find that wasn’t the case. Fresh free range eggs for much less than the supermarket and delicious seasonal produce for much less than I expected to pay. For the new generations of youngsters I hope that they will benefit from what seems to be a new approach towards food, how it is produced and how it tastes. I would strongly urge everyone willing, to join the ‘true food’ revolution and visit their local farmers market. Why not take the children along with you and make it a family outing? Not only will you be learning new things but your kids will too. You will see a large variety of fresh foods displayed and sold by the producers – these experts are the best people to ask about how they grow their fruit and vegetables, or how they rear organic meat and catch fish ethically. They too, will know how best to prepare and cook the food, what quantities to buy and many will also have helpful suggestions for recipes as well. Go regularly and your children will learn (and feel) the value of eating organic, healthy and ethically produced food and better still they will learn where it comes from. Let’s put good food back on the curriculum, so that we can be confident that our children will reap the benefits in years to come.
Essex Farmers Markets
