Let’s junk our fast-food society

I READ with interest Brian O’Mahony’s article headlined ‘We must question our rushed eating habits’ (Irish Examiner, December 6).

As a qualified chef and professional food writer, I couldn’t agree more with what Mr O’Mahony says about our cash-rich, time-poor attitude to food.

He is absolutely right in pointing out that, like Britain, this country could now also be referred to as a ‘junk food society’.

What we are feeding ourselves and our children will do nothing to relieve future pressures on medical institutions. Many hospital waiting lists are made up of those suffering ailments now known to be caused by poor diet and high intakes of fat, sugar and salt.

If we are to do our bit towards achieving understanding of how what we eat can determine our health status, we must get the message across to young people.

What we must address, first and foremost, is the need to teach them about fresh food so they don’t have to resort to the fast foods that contribute to ill health and obesity.

A vibrant and ongoing education programme, from primary school up, is needed urgently to introduce children to nutrition and cookery.

Mr O’Mahony also states, rightly, that the Slow Food movement has raised awareness of local foods and strives to create a desire to enjoy the pleasure of cooking and eating good food.

As well as the countries mentioned in the article, the Slow Food movement has been very active in Ireland since 1998 when it was first launched in west Cork by Myrtle and Darina Allen and Giana Ferguson of Gubbeen Farmhouse, along with the prestigious artisan producers of the region.

Today there are many Slow Food chapters countrywide.

They consist of voluntary committees and a growing membership including top chefs, food writers, producers and, most importantly, ordinary people who are passionate about good Irish food.

Perhaps most significantly, Slow Food Ireland works with Government and official food agencies to make a substantial difference to Irish food production.

Slow Food events are relaxed and informative. They are family affairs where children are welcomed and given the opportunity to enjoy the taste of great, locally produced foods.

Which brings me back to where I started: if we want to change attitudes to eating, we must begin with the children.

Dianne Curtin

Coppeen

Enniskeane

Co Cork