VISION Blog
12 June 2011
Here at VISION we have been looking at Food Security recently, and how we can do more locally whilst supporting the global population. Firstly, we need to address the discussion around self-sufficency. Self-sufficency has its place, mainly on a domestic scale. Having allotments, veg plots are very good for your emotional well-being, social outlook, health and knowledge about where your food has come from. National self-sufficency is much more of a myth.
Unless we really fancy a fairly bland diet, hands up who is happy without their tea or coffee in the morning, or orange juice come to that? We have to except that we need to import a range of products. In exchange we should also be exporting a good range of products. What is required is a good balance between imports and exports, a focus on seasonal products and fair trading and conditions for all.
If we focus on seasonality, we are now atuned to being able to get fruit like oranges and strawberries all year round. But what about the taste? Do you notice how much better they taste when the strawberries taste when they are from the UK, and oranges from Spain? They are fresher and tastier. Enjoy them when they are in season, then move on to something else.
How does this help Food Security? We have to make sure all countries are using their production potential to the full. Growing the crops that are suitable, feeding thier indigenous populations and exporting excess into the global markets. The global food market is a complicated system, with changing demands, prices, availabilty and access. This has to be better managed by global food companies, governments and the world organisations. There needs to be clearer consensus and more openess in the future, if we want to provide food security for the UK and the world.
Adrian
April 2011
Update from Gerry Sara Force (Health Visitor) and I delivered our first ‘Let’s Get Healthy with HENRY’ course for parents/carers earlier this year at Noah’s Ark Children’s Centre. The course is designed to give parents the skills and tools they need to have a healthier family lifestyle. We had very positive feedback from the parents and from our point of view it was fantastic to hear parents share their experience and to witness such positive attitudes to adopting small changes to enable their families to lead a healthier lifestyle. The next 'Let's Get Healthy with HENRY' course will be running in May at Brockworth Children’s Centre.
Other news.. Keep an eye out for a new resource by the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT) due to be published in May 2011. 'Eating well for older people with dementia' The CWT is a charity dedicated to the improvement of public health through good food and provides nutritional and practical guidance for young and old.
Children Eating Well (CHEW) website: www.cwt-chew.org.uk/ contains resources that have been designed by this public health nutrition charity. All the resources and photographs have been compiled by registered public health nutritionists and dietitians. There are four sets available to purchase. I have a copy of the 1-4 year and 5-11 year resource if any practitioner would like to see them.
· First Year of Life
· Children 1-4 years
· Children 5-11 years
· Young People 12-18 years
The CWT nutritional guidelines were used to underpin the recommendations in the recent ‘Food and Nutrition Guidance for Early Years settings in England (March 2011) published by The School Food Trust.
Gerry
Update from Amy
Back in February we ran a 'Health MOT' day at Tewkesbury Business Park. The aim of the event was to promote a healthier and more productive local workforce by providing services such as confidential blood pressure checks, advice on how to quit smoking, become more physically active and eat more healthily. We are also working with Tewkesbury Hospital Staff to make positive changes to their working environment to make it a healthier and happier place to be. One of the suggestions that came from staff and volunteers, was to introduce healthier snacks in the canteen such as a fruit bowl. We are looking to work with a local fruit and vegetable supplier in Tewkesbury to see if we can make it happen for them. Click here for more information about Well-being @ Work.
The bespoke Saturday Kitchen Clubs are well under way at the Cotswold Chef Food Centre at the RAC in Cirencester. I attended one of the sessions in March to take some photographs of the action and speak to some of the budding new chefs. The feedback from both pupils and parents was very encouraging.
Finally, a big thank you to those who have submitted the Food & Health Newsletter feedback. The comments are extremely valuable and will help us keep developing and improving it in the future. The 'April' newsletter is out now. If you have a story you would like featured, or questions about any of the above, do contact me amy@visioncic.com Amy