'Poor Kids'

I was expecting my next blog to be about the use of powdered egg as a replacement to normal eggs. Unfortunately, the website I ordered my powdered egg from, has failed to deliver as yet. Their customer service is also pretty shameful, but that is something I could start a whole other blog about.

However, in the theme of this blog, this week I stumbled across a televisions program called ‘Poor Kids ’ and it really made me think about food rationing. The film recorded various children around the country who currently live under the poverty line and this made for pretty thought provoking viewing. Many of the children regularly missed meals due to lack of money in the household to put food on the table. Moreover, they spoke really frankly about going without food as if it was the most normal thing. To me, not having food or means to get food and to go hungry is a frightening prospect. I really felt for these kids and realised how important it is not to throw food away. It is so precious and most people do take this for granted. To think that any child in the U.K goes without food does seem unfathomable.

In World War 2, everyone was largely provided with the same rations. This meant that the rich and the poor both started with the same provisions. Some literature has stated that food intake actually increased during the war as poorer families had been issued with food, where previously they had struggled to buy it. Maybe a fairer solution of food distribution would have relevance today where children are going without meals? I don’t know, but I do feel something should be done so that everyone can eat.

Food creativity and food rationing in a home management sense is becoming more and more relevant. Another news article today has stated that many pensioners are using their winter fuel payments to feed themselves. Food prices continually rice, due to fuel hikes and shortages of supply.

Vulnerable people going without meals, the lessons our grandparents learnt about the value of food from rationing, really does seem more relevant than ever!