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Supermarket Shelves Bare? History Can Teach Us How to Deal with Food
Aug
The recent panic buying sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic has left many Australians concerned about food security.
While it is lots of food availableMany Australians have seen supermarkets stripped of basic products in recent weeks. Some may find it hard to find staples like rice or canned food.
This is particularly true for many of our most vulnerable citizens, from the elderly to those in remote indigenous communitiesWhat’s more, rising job losses and higher food prices mean that many people will face lower prices, increasing number of people affected by food insecurity in the coming months.
Read more: How a time of panic buying can unite us
But the scarcity and vulnerability of the food system are not modern experiences. Wars, the Great Depression, the Global Financial Crisis, and natural disasters such as fires and floods have exposed the weaknesses of our food system.
In times of crisis and disaster, “food preferences” fade into the background and “coping” – for those who can – becomes the name of the game.
While there is currently no reason to stock up on food from supermarkets, the sight of empty shelves has prompted some Australians to look for alternative ways to feed themselves and their families. We can look to past experiences to identify approaches, skills and resources.
James Gourley/AAP
In fact, it can support us prepare to respond to future instability in access to food that is expected to be achieved due to the impacts of climate change. Looking to the past can support build the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen the future resilience of households and communities.
Change of diet
Having access to enough food does not mean that everyone will have equal access to it, nor that we will all be able to eat typical diets.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines food security as requiring “physical and economic” access for “all people at all times.” It requires not only access to “sufficient, protected and nutritious food,” but also access to food that meets our “dietary requirements and food preferences.”
Read more: Creativity with Less: Australian Women’s Weekly’s Recipe Lessons in Wartime
Recent low yields of drought-affected crops such as rice mean supplies were limited even against shortages caused by panic buying.
Canned food is production stoppage on some of its standard lines as companies struggle to access ingredients to meet unprecedented demand.
Measures have also been introduced to support vulnerable groups, such as meal delivery and “Basic boxes” are currently unable to meet the diverse tastes and needs.
It is likely that people without special dietary requirements will need to change their daily eating habits.
Grow your own
Many Australians have turned to home-growing during the COVID-19 pandemic, with edible plants quickly becoming available from nurseries sell out in stock.
Growing your own food is the most typical historical response to unstable access to food. Confined supply during World War I led governments to convince “food production at home and in the community.”Kick for victory“campaigns were conducted in the USA and Canada, and during World War II they were extended to Britain and Australia.
The benefits of more local food systems also regularly emerge during extreme weather events.
Food access in Australia relies heavily on supply chains powered by trucks travelling immense distances. When roads are blocked – as was the case during the recent bushfires and floods in Queensland in 2011 – access to food is at risk unless you or your neighbours grow your own food.
Read more: Food Democracy: Why Eating Is Inevitably a Political Issue
Community Gardens
Food gardening usually requires time, a willingness to pay attention to the needs of the plants, and an outdoor space with adequate sunlight. Not everyone has the infrastructure, knowledge, or inclination to do it.
Penelope Beveridge/AAP
People can turn to community gardening instead, such as The Happiness Garden in Canberra. Community gardens have historically been a great way to upskill and learn with others, but social distancing measures make this hard. It is also significant to be cautious about soil safety depending on the previous employ of the land, especially if you live in a city centre.
There is a lot of it though available information online by connecting with local gardening groups, sharing tips on how to social distance in your neighborhood, or creating food sharing points with neighbors is a great option for now.
Urban collecting
Gathering and hunting wild animals supplemented the main food supply during times of economic instability. Weeds such as dandelions and wild rabbits were regular additions to meals during the Great Depression.
For city dwellers, hunting wild rabbits is probably not a realistic option, but urban food gathering has had a revival. Recent rains mean that dandelions, purslane and nettles are now in bloom and, if prepared correctly, can be eaten in salads, soups and stir-fries.
Expert conductivity is also available online and will support you avoid reaching for something poisonous.
Hugo Potter, Author provided
Start creating good habits now
The key to coping in times of scarcity is to eliminate waste through thrift and creativity.
Knowing how to do it best store and preserve food (if you have circumscribed space in your fridge and freezer, consider bottling or fermentation); using wholesome food products (why peel carrots, potatoes and pumpkins?) and knowledge of tricks involving the substitution of ingredients (e.g. replacing eggs with sago), these are significant nutritional skills in uncertain times.
Read more: 10 Tips to Eat Locally and Reduce the Energy Used to Produce Food
This ability to adapt to uncertainty is crucial to developing resilient communities.
As we face a future likely to see more extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and economic instability, we need forceful national food security policies and local urban food systems planning that will enable us to address the long-term challenges that threaten the health of our planet.
Now is the perfect time for us to start experimenting with what we can do in our homes and neighbourhoods to support secure our food future.
