Is food too cheap?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....lobal-food-giant.html

At a time in Britain when food parcels are being distributed, children are allegedly going to school hungry, and shoppers are complaining about the increase in their weekly food bill, here we have chief at Unilever saying "that Food is too Cheap"

I agree that far too much food is being wasted, but surely that is all down to bad kitchen practices and not because it is too cheap.

The housewives of yesteryear faced with the ordeals of food rationing, made sure none was wasted, all scraps were saved and made into soups or stews.

Footnote:

Ladies please don't jump on me for singling out women, when I used the word 'Housewives' because that was the correct terminology in 'days of yore', and we all know that the 'Chapesses' take their turn in the kitchen nowadays. :0)

[ummmm]

Absolutely. Smother a chicken with butter and put in oven. Peel and chop veg and put in steamer. Make some bisto gravy.

[albaqwerty]

I've made sure my sons can do a bit more than just bung it in a microwave.
I now think I should have taught them how to shop as well.

Maybe both should be taught in schools?

[anotheoldgit]

friedgreentomato

/// Now if you want to talk expensive then lets talk about cat food - I spend more on that than I do on Mr FGT and I. ///

Then you obviously spoil 'Top Cat' let him/her eat your scraps, if 'Top Cat' were to be abandoned, then 'Top Cat would soon learn to eat what a 'Moggie' could manage to get hold of. :0)

[mazie]

Don't forget the Yorkies, I love Yorkies with chicken. That's another thing, once every couple of weeks I make a large batch of them (Yorkies) From a cup of all the ingredients I can make about 60, I cool them, bag them, put them in the freezer job done. Cost about £1.

[Smowball]

I've just started teaching my 13 yr old how to do the basics ie scrambled eggs,pasta etc...... he now loves saying to me can he do himself some tea, bless. Its a start...

[friedgreentomato]

I have 4 top cats and i am aware that I am low down in the household when it comes to wants and needs.

My girls want and need expensive food!!

[anotheoldgit]

I am beginning to think I am a little out of my depth here.

Ever had that feeling, that one should have posted in 'ChatterBank? :0)

[magsmay]

There are a lot of lower income families that really do not know the basics of cooking other than bunging something in the microwave. Its easy not to believe people have not got basic skills if you have grown up with them, seen your mother making things from scratch. These days kids rarely eat in a family environment and more often than not are directed to the freezer and microwave to grab something to eat because parents are both working and do not have the time to make family meals. If basic skills were taught in school then at least these kids would be given a choice. Cookery programmes such as Nigella and the like are catering to a very different audience-

[paddywak]

And don't forget that, especially in Super Markets, you have to pay for all the fancy packaging things often come in, just to throw it in the dustbin.

[albaqwerty]

exactly magsayy, Jamies 15 mins last night was Salmon!!
oh yes, everyone can afford salmon.
It's cheap.

[magsmay]

@smowball yes my 11 year old boy loves cooking -he loves eating as well so its a win win situation. He watches me and asks to help and is now making cakes -not every child is lucky enough to be able to do this at home and this is where Cookery at school would be invaluable.

[anotheoldgit]

mazie

/// Don't forget the Yorkies, I love Yorkies with chicken. ///

Blimey Mazie with all this talk about spoilt cats, I thought you were talking about 'Yorkshire Terriers'.

[Smowball]

back to the question - AOG - I agree, far too much food is wasted. The amount of people who cook a chicken for Sunday lunch, carve the breast and legs and then throw the rest away!

[McMouse]

Spell checker got me again and changed turkey from christmas to christian. However I'm sure it will be a very devout bird.

[mazie]

lol AOG

[friedgreentomato]

Don't worry AOG - I am sure Doc will thank you for putting me in my place again!!!

[Smowball]

magsmay - I think its vital to teach kids the basics.

LOL mcmouse!

[anotheoldgit]

Smowball

/// back to the question - AOG - I agree, far too much food is wasted. The amount of people who cook a chicken for Sunday lunch, carve the breast and legs and then throw the rest away! ///

Yes I couldn't agree more, and with all the present day labour saving devices available, Food processors, Blenders, slow cookers, just to name a few.

What I would like to ask however is why is it always chicken? I never hear of Turkey Soup or Cheesy Turkey Casserole.

Stands back for all the Turkey recipes to arrive.

[friedgreentomato]

But people do not know how to cook - they are too used to conveniance foods to cook from scratch.