FOOD FOR THOUGHT WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Over the last six months EofUs held three Food for Thought events, with open invites to anyone interested in food, its sustainability and fair access to it. A fine gathering of groups, organisations and residents did exactly what it said on the tin. This is a conversation capture from the second event.

‘"I would watch, rapt, when my mother conjured her most magical dishes" Michael Pollan, Cooked Today the disconnection from old skills and wisdoms has led to a state where cooking, baking and growing our food is so mysterious that it seems inaccessible. Or hard work.

Oscar works his magic, breaking down the mystery for young adults, with weekly cooking classes. People attend for all kinds of reasons, learning new skills, yes, but also learning that to fail is ok, because that’s part of learning to master something and open up to new horizons.

But not everyone wants to learn to cook. Not everyone has the time or money, or is motivated by the idea of good food or nutrition. We might not have had these things in the past either, but back then we had less choice. Now the ‘unhealthy’ choice, which only becomes a ‘problem’ if it is a choice that we make all the time…is easy when we are exhausted, pushed for time and not that interested. So ‘easy’ is something to consider.

But so is the reward of effort. A sense of joy, satisfaction and achievement from within, from ‘doing’, can often be far more powerful. That sense of reward can feel wonderful and so that is what we become motivated by.

But we should bear in mind that when there is low self-esteem in some parts of our community…a handy state for keeping people in their place…it can be difficult to accept things that feel good. Positive emotions can be as uncomfortable for some as negative ones are for others. Which might be part of why so many of us are simply accepting of what is, without demanding more than just getting by.

So motivation is important. Recognising that we are all motivated by different things may be important. But so is an understanding that we can make all the offers we want, but not everyone will be able to take them up, unless we take account of deep rooted and hidden barriers. And hidden voices. Though not hidden. Not actively hiding. Just not always visible in the places we are used to looking. Less visible but not less important. We must look harder and move ourselves towards where others are.

And what is visible? The millions shovelled into marketing the feel good of sugary drinks and treats. Leading our society to a point of addiction, where for those who aim for another way, the kindness of strangers in the form of a lolly for a child, becomes bittersweet. Once it was a treat, but now it’s pedalled everywhere. Balance is harder to achieve.

And for some ‘balance’ is an out of reach luxury. Being poor is the hard work for which there is rarely reward. So, what’s to be done? Should stuff be free? Should some people pay more than others? Is an exchange ok? What are the ethics? It’s messy… and complex.

But then there is the magic of raspberries. The tasting of tomatoes, the pleasure of picking from the plant. For those who can see it…and get access to it, of course.

But blimey, yes HU3, we do have some deficits, but we also have an awful lot too. And what more could it be with the right kind of agile infrastructure and a couple of heaped tablespoons of ambition…or is it courage? We have a Co-op of bicycles to deliver the goodness. Spaces to grow food and wellbeing. Experts who can teach us how to grow, cook, fail and succeed. Organisations supporting young adults and adults who need extra support, to cater for its community. People who can offer business support to new food ventures to gain new skills and confidence. Teachers who can shape the minds and open up the worlds of young generations. Bakers, producing delights with quality ingredients, goodness and care, baked in. A high street bursting with shops with international food offers…just waiting to be travelled. Diversity. Knowledge. Experience. Compassion. Care.

We have a bunch of passionate people who want more and better flourishing in HU3. Forgive the pun but it seems like we have a lot of the right ingredients. So…what’s a bunch of passionate people interested in a flourishing HU3 to do?

At the third event we decided that a food festival, with activism for change at its heart, could be a good way to collectivise our efforts and put down some foundations for connected, more ambitious working. So we’re working with others to make that happen. But if it were you, what would you do?