Letter in Redditch Advertiser 28-9-05

Food for thought on school dinners

THE parent who expressed his concern over the recently introduced
"healthy eating" policy at Ipsley Middle School, as doubtless defined by
a certain celebrity chef (Advertiser, September 14), raised some
important issues about our perception of food.

Caught as they are between the seductive blandishments of food
advertising, the desire to cater for their children's preferences and the
often conflicting advice of professional nutritionists, it is small
wonder parents feel confused, patronised and implicitly criticised by the
born-again zeal of many education authorities with regards to what ends
up on their children's plates, particularly if what they serve up at home
continues to resemble what passed for decades as standard school fare.

Increasingly, however, along with its protein, fats and carbohydrates,
21st century food appears to have acquired a moral component and to be
polarised into "good" and "bad" food, qualities which one ingests along
with fibre, cholesterol and vitamins.

Redditch Vegetarians and Vegans have decided therefore to try in a small
way to re-evaluate food and demonstrate what it signifies to us and to
this end, are hosting a free food tasting extravaganza in St Stephen's
Church on October 8 from 10.30-3pm.

We are taking on Jamie Oliver in the kitchen and our only agenda is that
tasty, nutritious food should be available to everyone, including those
on a low income, and that it should be cruelty-free in its production.

Those who still have an appetite for debate, to say nothing of a dazzling
array of delicious dishes, will find on offer everything from the
saintliness of salads to the junk food staples of burgers, sausages and
crisps, with spicy curries, heavenly puddings, vegetable side dishes,
pasta and rice accompaniments, home-made cakes, dips and savouries, all
served in a cordial and inviting atmosphere.

Besides the free food tasting, free leaflets, magazines, fact sheets and
recipes will also be available, in addition to stalls selling a wide
range of items including badges, books, stationery, cards, cosmetics and
toiletries, chocolate, clothing and lots more.

So if Christmas shopping has left you peckish, you will find a warm
welcome and a full plate at Redditch's first cruelty-free food fair.

PETER WILSON

On behalf of Redditch Vegetarians and Vegans

Southcrest Gardens

Pool Bank

Southcrest

Redditch Vegetarians & Vegans
reddiveggie@...
www.redditchveggies.makessense.co.uk

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