In the final blog in our series about a post COVID-19 sustainable food future, Bristol public health medic Dr Angela Raffle explores how we find ways to help everyone in the city understand where our food comes from. How do we radically shift our collective awareness about food?
A typical conversation about how to right the wrongs in the food system often ends up in a chicken and egg situation. In fact, it’s well-worn and pretty dull: no point in making changes to supply if the demand isn’t there. What is the point in promoting FairTrade, or climate-friendly farming practices or animal welfare schemes, or ecologically safe ingredients if the buyers don’t know or care about – or even value – such changes? The argument is simple: no-one wants to pay more than they have to. The 2020 pandemic has highlighted the fact that already huge and now rapidly increasing numbers of people struggle to feed themselves. So, if making positive changes in the fields or along the supply chain result in higher prices for customers, then such products won’t sell or are only bought by people with money to spare. The supermarkets will still engage in prices wars and offer ‘buy one get one free’ (BOGOFs). People like bargains – and there we have it. Stuck in the supply and demand argument. Stuck in the ‘cheaper always wins’ scenario. Stuck with the challenge of how to ensure that the most vulnerable people have access to good nutritious food that supports health and wellbeing. There has to be a better way and our question is how can we address this collectively as a city?
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