I’m thinking a lot about food at the moment. I think its important. It’s something we’ve lost. I’m reading all sorts. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on meat, my local organic box scheme http://www.eatorganic.co.uk and reading about the 100 mile Diet http://100milediet.org and the many writings on fitting in more with seasonality.
So why 80%, why not the whole 100? Because I still believe that our progress in expanding our diet should be recognised, I still believe in supporting markets and small producers abroad, I still believe in fair trade, I still believe other countries and cultures canteach us things about diet we cannot get through our own. Could I honestly give up olive oil and garlic the basic building blocks of mediterranean cuisine and my love of pasta? Or chocolate? Or deep red bordeaux? Bananas and avocados or a key part of my diet.
I don’t think a diet should be about such extremes entirely, but the exotic elements do need to be sourced in sustainable ways, and not be the default most common option. They need to be recognised and respected as resource intensive adjuncts to a basically local and seasonal diet. So the 80/20 rule seems a fair division as to how to eat local, enjoy global and still respect food and the environment.
