Got the App?

Do you think there’s an office in the depths of government labelled “Bright Sparks Only” ? It must have been someone in this department who came up with the idea that we should gain credits by buying fruit and vegetables. All we need to do is download the aforementioned App onto our smart phones and we’re off, scanning our choices as we shop. There’s a slight hitch here – not everyone has a smart phone…and what about the people who “forget” to scan their unhealthy choices…? We really are going about this the wrong way. It’s through education that we will learn to make wiser choices. Downgrading the importance of Home Economics for all pupils and removing “A” level Food and Nutrition from schools was a massive error. Where are prospective food specialists (and even the parents of tomorrow) to gain their knowledge ? Organic Biochemistry was a module in my “A” level course, and fascinating it was too. All schools are now required to have some food-related teaching to the age of 14, but only a quarter of all junior schools achieve this, according to OFSTED. It seems that food teaching is currently left to enthusiasts and TA’s who might have been on a course or two (if they are lucky). Knowledge and experience counts for everything when each generation needs to learn, whatever the subject.