the value of food

Food prices have risen – a topical issue of course. Revolutions have happened when food prices reached the triggering point. Politicians have always known that the population must have access to affordable food. Subsidised food is so normal to us now we have little idea just how much it actually costs to bring it to our table. For many years we have had the luxury of wasting food also because there is such excess. How difficult it is for us to transition to the real life reality of what food costs!
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A story from a customer struck a cord when I thought about this topic. We were discussing the craft of lacemaking as an old tradition. I had recently met the folk showcasing the Limerick lace traditions and was amazed at the fine work and detail involved. How skilled people were and this is an important tradition to protect. In any case she told me of her grandmothers story of being a child with siblings in Mayo making lace all winter long and working hard to save for a cow. Months of detailed work by candlelight, I guess, with the prize at the end of a living food source. Milk, butter, cream…I imagined the longing for this prize. The achievement and satisfaction to have earned this valuable prize. Alas the story did not end well as the cow died soon after! How devastating this must have been. The fact the story carried on through the generations echoes the enormity of the impact. It is no harm to be reminded though of how valuable food actually is. Butter will never taste so good.   

Anne Maher