Food prices - Scaremongering? (Warning - Potential Political Content!)

I was raised by a frugel mother, so to stretch food is second nature to me. I always buy local when I can. And make sure all is properly stored so none is thrown out. Always buy what I know we can use. Take advantage of can good, and non perisable sales.

 

In my freezer there are several portions of Chinese style special fried rice using up the last of the christmas turkey, and the the new years day beef.

 

My mother wasn't "frugal" by choice but by necessity and that was a magnificent starting ground.

Equally, I was schooled in the days where we were taught "Home Economics" (these days it's called "Food Tech" is so far removed from HE that it is almost unrecognisable and almost totally useless by comparison! *Note to self: email Michael Gove* )

So, as an example: I really fancied a good old fashioned soup for my dinner the other day and went ahead and made it. Family response: don't want that! Fine, do your own then! (I was brought up on: I want's don't get; can I have is greedy ). I thoroughly enjoyed my hearty celeriac, carrot and parsnip soup; made with vegetables which were almost, not quite, but almost languishing!!

Next day, roast dinner ... = gravy .... gravy = "stock" .... ... suffice to say, the leftover soup made a delicious "stock" and thus, a tasty gravy and the family (?) .... cor that was super gravy!!! Didn't have the heart to tell them they were eating reconstituted soup

 

@ Redstar - you know, I try/tried to teach my family the value of food. To show them that the sell by date is not as good as your nose and common-sense and that food left-overs can be just as great for the next meal. My DW's daughter left home eating only chicken breast and other apparently succulent cuts of meat and now she's happy to eat chicken drumsticks as they're cheaper. But to this day, all the family think that when I am there for dinner, they all eat the best parts while I have what they consider 'leftovers'. I have to tell you, I'm at the Doctor's less often (never) than they are! But I do think it's rubbing off - only recently they asked for their own grow-potato sacks for their gardens! Good food gardening will grow on them!

 

My mum said "Never throw bread away Jennifer or you will go hungry one day and regret you ever did that". I still cannot throw bread in the bin. Bless you Mum ( my mum that is ), they did go hungry sometimes in the war I think though it was never really talked about afterwards,
Jenny

 

Later on, I'm going to show you my worm bins (4) - where all my old food and garden waste goes. The resulting worm-compost has given me the very best food I've ever had.

@ Jenny - my Old Dad is in his late 80s and he had abject poverty - often he went a day without food completely - just water. He compares this to todays relative food poverty. It puts things in perspective.

 

They did indeed go without food in the war, Jenny! And a lot more besides: I cannot even imagine!!! Thankfully though, I was the beneficiary of their experience and sage advice - every cloud, eh!

KevinH - it is incredibly difficult to alter the mindset of others who have yet to recognise your passion. Nor should anyone try to do so with a sledgehammer approach or they simply think you are quirky (at best)

Mr Mum was a staunch "meat and two veg" man when I met him (worse, his idea of 2 veg were .... brace yourself! ... tinned marrowfat peas and tinned carrots )

Over time, I have "acclimatised" him to the (previously) unknown delights of:

yogurt (homemade)
rice
chinese food (other than ribs n chips )
fresh carrots
celery
onions
garlic
legumes (most!)
oats
even ... and this I am most proud of ... SOYA meat (albeit, heavily disguised ) to name but a few

Time and tide wait for no man; but ... you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

 

you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
I like that mum,
Jenny

 

"Mr Mum" !

Ahhh! Gotta Love You, Mum!

Going to go now, "Iron Lady" is on - I blame that thing for the evils of today. It's as well to remind myself what Satan looks like....

 

And our romance may be short lived there, Kevin From a female point of view (as opposed to a political one), just seeing that a woman could make Prime Minister has been an inspiration to many!

She had ambition, (political) passion, held true to her beliefs (even against fierce, masculine, opposition!) and didn't kowtow to celebrity culture for votes. Whatever her politics, she is still a woman who inspired people (whether it was for the right or wrong reasons ... you've got to admit ... she can still raise a passionate debate )

 

Long night ahead, let the lazy one sleep in bed, I'll take my chances downstairs with the dogs, at least I'll keep warm?

 

Ha! It'll be the dog and pups keeping *you* warm Vince And far warmer than a continental duvet at that too! (Are they still referred to as "continental duvets"? )

 

I doubt if there's more than a very few alive today in the UK who know real hunger. I'm currently working on a biography of my Polish father in law who was a Russian POW for two years in WWII and by an absolute miracle escaped the Katyn massacre.

Here's what he said to one of his sons about food and sugar -


The rations were almost non-existent as Russia was itself struggling to feed its own population, accordingly the soldiers survived on soup best likened to flavoured dishwater with next to nothing in it and stale bread.

Eventually after what seemed like an eternity there was a delivery of Red Cross parcels in which there were crystallised sugar cubes, and other items which went very quickly or were put into hiding to barter with the guards.

Tea time was a social event where the soldiers would sit around in the tent and pass the tea pot around which was so weak that it better resembled hot water

The sugar cubes quickly got used until eventually there was only one left so instead of using it they tied it up to the roof pole above them dangling from a string so that as they drank their tea (hot water) they could look at the sugar cube and taste the sweetness in their mind.

I can recollect my own paternal grandfather talking about using axle grease (veg based) from colliery wagons to spread on bread during the 1926 strike.

 

Dave, I have found your post particularly poignant and I do so hope that our people will never have to endure those types of hardship ever again.

Unfortunately, I do think the food front glory years are coming to a point whereby drastic measures need to be taken or, there is a danger that it could, indeed be a sign of things to come. Too many people; too little food. 2050 does seems to cast a bleak warning unless others can find some way forward.