Food for thought

Why talk about food? Food unites us. Everybody eats – although some eat more than others.

The topic of food is one that I feel particularly passionate about. One reason for this and perhaps the root of it all, is that I love eating. Being able to cook and eat delicious meals is one thing that makes me really happy. I also care about where my food comes from and how it got to my plate. Friends and family will tell you that a trip to the supermarket with me is a nightmarish experience. Expect long deliberation over whether it's better to buy certain products grown abroad or in the UK (ie high carbon footprint from air miles or from inputs needed to grow in our climate?) Are dried chick peas better than tinned chick peas or vice versa?

Some people will think “does it matter?” Well, yes it does. I'm a big believer in consumer power and the mantra “every purchase you make is a vote about the kind of world you'd like to live in”. I like to think that the lifestyle choice I make won't be to the detriment of others, at home or abroad, in this generation or the next. Again, some people might think one person's weekly shop won't make that much difference... But one person can make a difference when they're part of a growing movement of people who want to see a change in the way our food system works.

Oxfam's current major campaign, GROW, is all about fixing the global food system. When 1 billion people across the planet go hungry every day, it's clear that something needs to change. This week, from the 15^th to the 22^nd of October, is GROW week. If you haven't already, sign up to show your support for the campaign.

Throughout GROW week, I'll be blogging daily about all things food related. I'm going to be looking in great detail at the food I eat each day as well as thinking about some of the food dilemmas which plague me the most. Follow my food musings and join me in the global dinner conversation!