The Times Australia
The Times News

.

What did 2020 teach us about the way we eat?

  • Written by The Conversation

Pasta. Rice. Tinned tomatoes. All staples that, prior to 2020, most of us never thought would be in short supply[1].

This year has taught us a lot, including about food and what it means to us. It’s also highlighted just how differently modern Australians behave in relation to food, especially when comparing our behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic to past crises.

The Depression took place in a much more homogeneous Australia than today, where everyone enjoyed the same repertoire of standard dishes. Everyone made a Sunday roast and then made it last for the next few days.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia, we were forced to examine many of our social and cultural assumptions. When it comes to food, we are used to having anything we want at any hour of the day, in any season.

Our food choice has expanded exponentially in the past century. Our basic pantry[2] of cooking essentials is more than double what is was 100 years ago.

So why did we hoard? Yes, probably out of panic, but also because we are so used to having plenty that we no longer have the skills to substitute nor, perhaps, the determination to just “make do”.

Where do we get our food?

2020 has also shown us how the way we eat relies on global, not local, systems. During the Spanish Flu pandemic and the Depression, almost all our food was grown, produced, processed and packaged in Australia.

Read more: How many people can Australia feed?[3]

Today, we are a net importer[4] of seafood. We’re also a net importer of some canned products, such as pineapple[5]. Yes, a lot of our food comes from New Zealand, but a significant percentage[6] also comes from America and China, Thailand and Cambodia.

As we’re seeing now, a heavy reliance on imports doesn’t only affect us during a health crisis like COVID, when freight becomes an issue: the current trade challenges[7] we are having with China also show us how geopolitics can affect a country’s food supply.

Sourdough — not for everyone

With the pandemic as our backdrop, several practices changed for us this year. As supply chains recalibrated (after that initial toilet paper panic) and we could mostly buy what we needed, we continued to cook or bake more – although this was nuanced by privilege.

Sourdough loaf During the pandemic, pictures of homemade loaves have flooded social media feeds. www.shutterstock.com

Making bread at home is wonderful, but making sourdough bread[8] (an exercise requiring patience, attention and time) was not an option for everyone.

It was those with the means, and the capacity to work at home — without too many caring [9]and home schooling responsibilities — who could indulge in this gourmet foodstuff.

Read more: Great time to try: baking sourdough bread[10]

In 2020, this new connection to food was confined to a certain group of people, who might be described as having both cultural and gastronomic capital.

The case for greater self-sufficiency

Another positive longer-term shift for our food culture may come with the current (COVID-amplified) trend to relocate[11] to regional and rural areas. Growing your own vegetables was encouraged during the Depression, and it’s far easier to do on a large rural block than a small urban one.

In the 1950s, home production[12] was 46% of our total production of eggs. There has been a call for some time[13] for more self-sufficiency[14] in Australia. But we’ve also had policies where our most valuable seafood[15] goes overseas because people there are willing to pay more for it than people here. We also export about 30% of our cherries[16].

This needs to change, but it comes down to all of us being prepared to pay more for our food. We are so used to buying based on the cheapest price – a habit the supermarkets have fostered. If we want to permanently become more self-sufficient, we have to get rid of this cheap food mentality and pay a proper price for our food.

How can we use food to stay connected at Christmas?

If there was ever a time to think about these issues, it’s now. As we sit down for a meal with friends and family over the holiday season, many of us will be looking for the experience of “commonsensality” — the shared connection made with others through food.

what did 2020 teach us about the way we eat? When we share special food, we can also share memories. www.shutterstock.com

Eating “together” can happen virtually — sitting in our respective locations enjoying the same meal, even if far apart. Dishes can inspire shared memories, as evidence of the connection that food gives us in good times and bad.

Maybe this is an old family recipe, or a traditional dish. Maybe it’s just prawns and mangoes.

Of all the things we want to leave behind in 2020, a better understanding of where our food comes from, and how it connects us, are changes worth keeping.

Barbara Santich also talks about how food connects us on the Seriously Social podcast[17] by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

References

  1. ^ short supply (www.smh.com.au)
  2. ^ basic pantry (media.healthyfood.com)
  3. ^ How many people can Australia feed? (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ net importer (www.agriculture.gov.au)
  5. ^ pineapple (www.horticulture.com.au)
  6. ^ significant percentage (esriau.maps.arcgis.com)
  7. ^ current trade challenges (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ making sourdough bread (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ too many caring (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ Great time to try: baking sourdough bread (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ trend to relocate (www.abc.net.au)
  12. ^ home production (www.ausstats.abs.gov.au)
  13. ^ call for some time (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ more self-sufficiency (www.smh.com.au)
  15. ^ valuable seafood (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ cherries (www.cherrygrowers.org.au)
  17. ^ Seriously Social podcast (podfollow.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/food-in-good-times-and-bad-what-did-2020-teach-us-about-the-way-we-eat-150531

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...