Celebrity chef warns of health crisis

A CHANGE in the public attitude to food was urged yesterday by celebrity chef Darina Allen.

Officially opening the first Home Food Festival in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, she also warned that the Government is sitting on a public health time bomb because of what is happening.

She said farmers and food producers are not being paid a fair price for what they produce.

This was very serious because, eventually, as an extreme example, there will be no farmers and, therefore, no food.

People are leaving the land in huge numbers, not just in Ireland but in Europe and all over America.

“If the consumer realised the importance of paying a fair price to the farmer, then everything would change very quickly.

“But there is such a disconnection between the urban and even rural communities now, and the reality of farming, people do not realise the seriousness of the crisis we are in.

“The Government is sitting on a public health time bomb at the moment, basically because of what is happening,” she said.

Darina Allen said our farmers and food producers must be paid a fair price for what they are producing for consumers. “Until we do that, we will get the poor quality food we deserve,” she said.

Darina Allen urged people to think about setting up different alternative farming enterprises on the farm to supply the local community.

There is a huge craving for quality local food as seen in the success of the various farmers markets that have been developed, she said.

Fifty food exhibitors took part in the one-day festival organised by a sub-committee of Mitchelstown Community Council.

Dairygold Co-op was the main sponsor of the event, with local and regional businesses also providing financial support.